Gangtok:18th March: ‘The International Conference-cum-Workshop titled “Orchid Diversity, Conservation and Resource Development in Changing Global Climate: Perspectives on Medicinal, Floricultural and Economic Potential”, along with an Orchid Show. was inaugurated at the Golden Jubilee Auditorium, Department of Botany. Panjab University, Chandigarh. The event was jointly organized by The Orchid Society of India (TOSI) and the Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh,’ as per information today,from the participants from Sikkim.
The inaugural session began with a welcome address by Prof. (Dr.) Promila Pathak the Convener and Organizing Secretary of the conference. In her remarks, she warmly welcomed the participants and highlighted the society’s dedication to promoting awareness about the scientific, medicinal, and commercial importance of orchids, while also encouraging collaboration among researcher. and entrepreneurs. Prof. Sidhu also provided a brief introduction to the Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh,
Alongside the conference, an Orchid Show was inaugurated showcasing live orchid plants, photographs, and paintings. The exhibits were presented by TOSI (Chandigarh), BSI (Dehradun). Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (Drhradun), and Orchid Blooms (Sikkim). The exhibition was formally inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Prof. Yojna Rawat, DUL Panjab University, Chandigarh, who encouraged the botanical community to adopt innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship so that the country can benefit from the rich diversity of horticultural and medicinal orchids for health care and economic development.
Guest of Honour Sh. Saurabh Kumar. Chief Conservator of Forests-cum-Director (Environment) and CKO of SMPB Chandigarh expressed his appreciation for representing the Forest Department at such an important academic gathering at Panjab University.
Another Guest of Honour, Dr. R. Murugeswaran. Deputy Director and Head of Institute at RRIUM, Silchar, Assam, joined the event online. In his special remarks, he emphasized the need to empower local communities through sustainable micro preparation techniques and ethical trade, encouraging a shift away from destructive wild harvesting toward the development of a sustainable orchid-based green economy.
During the conference, the society also released several publications, including a Souvenir- cum-Abstract Book, an International Journal, and an Orchid Newsletter. The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof. P. L. Uniyal, Treasurer of TOSI
A flower arrangement competition was also organized as part of the event. During the conference, B. B. Gurung (Orchidologist Sikkim Sponsored by Horticulture Department Government of Sikkim achieved notable recognition by winning the first prize in the Orchid Show and securing the first prize for the utilization and production of Cymbidium orchid hybrid cut-flower arrangement. In addition to these achievements, he actively participated in the academic sessions by presenting both a poster presentation and recently Indian Archid festival organize by ICAR NRCO Ministry of Agriculture and farmer’s welfare Government of India awarded the first prize in Utilization and Production of Cymbidium Hybrid Orchid cut flower arrangement. Second Prize in Orchid other than Cymbidium Hybrid Orchid. Second prize in Queen of the Hybrid of show Hybrid Orchid. Display on twenty ports of Cymbidium Hybrid Orchid Show.
The conference featured 12 invited speakers, 11 poster presentations, and 8 oral presentations in total. Experts from Australia. Thailand. China, and Malaysia were among the invited speakers, making the event an important international platform for discussing orchid dive
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