International Conference cum Workshop on Orchids
The Karbhari News Service – An International Conference cum Workshop on Resource Development of Medicinal and Floricultural Orchids- Lab Techniques to Entrepreneurial Ventures & Orchid Show (Hybrid Mode) is being organized by The Orchid Society of India (TOSI) jointly with Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata & CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune in co-operation with Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune; Biospheres Pune; and PDEA’S Baburaoji Gholap College, Pune & Dr DY Patil Colleges, Pune during March 15-17, 2024 at the Auditorium, Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-NCL, Pune.
Orchids comprise a diverse and enchanting family of flowering plants, known for their exquisite beauty and captivating fragrance. With 29,481 species in 705 genera, and more than 1,50,000 hybrids distributed worldwide, orchids constitute one of the largest and most diverse plant families on earth. Revered for their elegance and rarity, orchids are often associated with love, beauty, and refinement. Besides their floricultural importance, they have also been used in traditional medicine. The whole family Orchidaceae is also included in Appendix-II of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Therefore, there is an urgent need to create awareness amongst masses at grassroot level, propagate and conserve these floricultural and medicinally important orchids
On Day 1(15th March 2024), Dr. T. Janakiram, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Y S R Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh will inaugurate the Conference as the Chief guest. Dr A A Mao, Director, BSI Kolkata will chair the session and Sh A K Singh, Deputy Director, NHB Pune will grace the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Prof. (Dr.) A K Bhatnagar, President TOSI will
deliver the welcome address followed by Prof. (Dr.) Promila Pathak , Secretary, TOSI and Convener cum Organizing Secretary of the conference will speak about the work supported by the Society and its activities carried out nationally and internationally. Dr Ashok Giri, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NCL, Pune will briefly introduces the conference. The Society will further release its eminent publications i.e. the Souvenir cum Abstract Book, an International Journal and Orchid Newsletter. Usha Vij and Suraj Prakash Vij Memoial Awards and T N Khoshoo Memorial Lecture Award will be presented. On Day 2(16th March 2024),The valedictory session will be chaired by Dr. Ashok Lele, Director CSIR- NCL, Pune and the Chief Guest would be Dr. R. Murugaswaran, Deputy Director, NMPB, New Delhi
Simultaneously, An orchid show depicting live plants, photographs, and paintings will be exhibited by various people from across the country and in parallel a painting competition will be organized under different categories (school children, college students, and open for all). In case of school children, the entries shall be invited under 3 sub-categories depending upon the class groups which are (1-4, 5-7, 8-12). There will also be a photography competition based on the submitted photographs of orchids showcasing either inflorescence or pollination behavior of the flower with their respective pollinators clicked in the natural. There conference will have 15 invited speakers, 12 poster presentations and 19 oral presentations in total. On Day 2 i.e. March 16, 2024, The Valedictory function will take place followed by a Post Conference Tour to Biodiversity Park, Mahabaleshwar on March 17, 2024.
The Conference is being well attended by a large number of eminent scientists, policy planners, growers, entrepreneurs, nurserymen, researchers and students from India and other countries including USA, Australia and Thailand.
