The India Post, Chandigarh, 16th December,2008 :Orchids are an important group of plants known for their floricultural excellence. They rank among top ten traded flowers in the international market and have added significantly to the growth of economies in the several countries. Many of them are also known for their curative and aphrodisiac properties. India , with vast variety of climatic conditions, is rich repository of orchids; more than 1200 species grow here and these include many with medicinally and therapeutically significant traits. Despite the growing awareness about the importance of Indian orchids, it has not as yet been possible to judiciously exploit their potential due to lack of proper planting material and culture procedures. We are also faced with the problems of conservation as large number of orchids is threatened of survival in their natural habitats. It is thus highly desirable to evolve appropriate strategies for sustainable development of the available orchid genetic diversity in the country.
The Orchid Society of India (TOSI), established in 1984, has been promoting the cause of Indian orchidology by projecting the importance of orchids and orchid based vocations. The Society has decided to celebrate its 25th Year of inception. During the yearlong celebrations, several activities including Symposia, Lectures, Training Programmes and Orchid Shows shall be organized in different parts of the country.
The celebration shall be launched on December 16, 2008 at ICSSR Complex (11.00 a.m.), Panjab University , Chandigarh wherein Prof SP Vij, Founder Secretary of the Society has convened a National Symposium on Orchids: Science and Art (December 16-17, 2008), based on Invited Lectures. Dr. Promila Pathak, Department of Botany, Panjab University , Chandigarh has been entrusted the responsibility of its Organization. Registration to the event is free for orchid enthusiasts.
Several distinguished orchidists including Drs Manju Sharma, M Sanjappa, Akhilesh Tyagi, LMS Palni, K Natarajan, and Sathish Kumar are participating. Drs MK Huda and SK Bhadra are joining from Bangladesh . The distinguished gathering shall digress on Diversity, Biology, Improvement, Propagation, Cultivation and Commercialization of orchids. A show based on orchid cut flowers and live plants shall be an added attraction of this two-day event.
Prof RC Sobti, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University , Chandigarh shall inaugurate the Symposium on December 16, 2008 at lCSSR Complex (11.00 a.m.), Panjab University , Chandigarh . Prof. P.K.. Khosla, Former Vice Chancellor, HPKVV, Palampur and Dr. S. Natesh, Sr, Advisor DBT (GOI) shall join as Guests of Honor according to Dr. Promila Pathak, Organizing Secretary of the Symposium.