Malabar Garden Festival begins in Kozhikode
The Hindu
Experience the first-ever Malabar Garden Festival showcasing rare plant species, cultural performances, workshops, and exhibitions until December 29.
The first-ever Malabar Garden Festival began at the Malabar Botanical Garden in Kozhikode on Friday (December 20).
The Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences, under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, is known for its collection of rare plant species, including water plants, as well as ginger and orchid varieties.
N.S. Pradeep, Director-in-charge of the Botanical Garden, told the media on Saturday (December 21) that Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas will formally inaugurate the festival at 5 p.m. on Sunday (December 22). M.K. Raghavan, MP, will deliver the keynote address.
The botanical garden has been prepared with extensive flower beds and sculptures for the event. The festival features cultural programmes, including folk music, band performances, ghazal nights, and Kathakali. Highlights include a dance performance by actress Navya Nair and another by Meera Nair from We Dance Studio.
Competitions in photography, clay modelling, watercolour painting, pencil drawing, and cartooning are being conducted for visitors. Workshops on artificial intelligence, biodiversity conservation, taxonomy, science writing, and nursery management are scheduled for selected participants.
An exhibition featuring stalls from the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), and the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development is also part of the festival.
A variety of ornamental plants are available for sale in the garden. The festival will conclude on December 29, but the exhibition will remain open to schoolchildren for two to three days afterwards, Mr. Pradeep said.
Political turmoil in Puducherry as Independent legislators seek no-confidence motion against Speaker, raising uncertainty in the Union Territory.
Temple management executive officers in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha face allegations of discrimination against SC and ST employees.
Anbumani Ramadoss urges Tamil Nadu farmers to protest in Chennai, demanding fulfillment of long pending demands from State government.
Celebrating 25 years of service, ITAT Visakhapatnam Bench lauded for its role in direct tax appeals by Union Minister.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi visits Parbhani to meet family of deceased law student, highlighting caste issues and government accountability.
SPARSH mass outreach program for defence pensioners at VIT, Vellore, honored veterans and addressed grievances for speedy resolution.
Cubbon Reads community faces book confiscation and detention by park authorities, sparking concerns over peaceful gathering's future.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis allocates portfolios to ministers, retaining Home department; key departments assigned to council members.
High Court suspends MLA Sail's conviction in iron ore export cases, allowing him to retain position with restrictions.
iPhone dropped in temple hundial belongs to deity per HR&CE Act; owner seeks return, authorities decide fate.
Mahfuj Alam, a key student-adviser in Bangladesh's interim government, draws attention with strong anti-India stance.