Presidency wants greener campus on bicentenary

Presidency University here has urged the Agri-Horticultural Society of India (AHSI) to help make its campus greener for its bicentenary in 2017.

The AHSI, the oldest institution of its kind in India, looks after the university's horticulture and beautification requirements. However, to make its 200th year a memorable one, special plans are being drawn up, according to vice chancellor Anuradha Lohia.

"We want the bicentennial celebrations to be special and the AHSI has been requested to draw up a detailed plan so that our campus maintains its greenery for the next 200 years," Lohia told the media at the launch of the horticultural body's annual winter flower show.

The winter exhibition runs till January 3 and showcases over 300 varieties of chrysanthemums, the star attraction of the event, officials said.

Launched in the 1960s at the 195-year-old AHSI, the winter show was restricted to chrysanthemums, rose, dahlia and gladiolas.

"Now we have 25-30 varieties of marigolds and perennial flowering plants. The standard of Indian chrysanthemum today has beaten the standards of the countries of origin of these flowers: Britain, Australia, the US and Japan," said AHSI president N.G. Khaitan.

The show also features growers, from West Bengal districts, competing in categories like flower formations and presentations.