PESHAWAR: The annual chrysanthemum exhibition has attracted a large number of visitors, including students and teachers, from around the city and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including tribal districts.

According to gardeners, the exhibition is conducted every year since its first launch in December 1987 on the lawns of Islamia College University (ICU). They said the number of visitors had been increasing every year as groups of students, teachers, parents and nature lovers flocked to ICU to enjoy the most attractive sight of the chrysanthemum exhibition.

Javed Chacha, chief florist, told this scribe that late Arbab Sikandar, the then principal of Islamia College Peshawar, had floated the idea of displaying various species of chrysanthemum, called Gul-i- Daudi in Urdu and Gul-i- Shashti in Pashto, which had been brought from Japan in early 80s. He said that around 80 different species of chrysanthemum were displayed.

Ziaur Rahman, a student from Waziristan, told this scribe that he and his 40 colleagues had planned a trip to witness the exhibition in addition to seeing the historic building of ICU. He said that their group got valuable information regarding chrysanthemum, also known as ‘Queen of the Fall’.

Ali Hoti, security incharge at ICU, said the exhibition was held every year to raise awareness among people of the significance of flowers and plants as both helped enhance the aesthetic sense and reduce environmental pollution.

“The display launched in December continues till the flowers get withered away. Around 100 gardeners take care of the flowers and plants on the ICU campus and every year our florists added to the species for putting them on display. This year, they won a cash prize from the vice-chancellor, Prof Dr Naushad Khan,” said Mr Hoti.

Zakia Ali, a teacher from a private school, said she brought her students to ICU who took great interest in the exhibition.

Prof Khalid Khan, a research scholar, said that chrysanthemum belonged to the family of asteraceae, which was first cultivated in China as flowering herb during 15th BC and old legends narrated that its boiled roots were used as remedy for headache, fresh sprouts and petals were eaten in salads and leaves brewed for a festive drink.

The ancient Chinese name for chrysanthemum is “Chu”. The Chinese city of Chu-Hsien, which means Chrysanthemum city, was so named to highlight the flower.

Mr Khan maintained that Japanese were mesmerised with the beauty of chrysanthemum in 8th century AD and 9th September had been celebrated as the chrysanthemum national happiness day because the number of ‘nine’ of the ninth month was considered as the most propitious day.

“There are countless florets of chrysanthemum and various shades of colours, including pink, purple, red, yellow, bronze or orange, and white.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2019