PESHAWAR: The trade mark annual chrysanthemum exhibition launched at Islamia College University here on Monday attracted visitors in large number.

The visitor showed keen interest in the wonderful display of about 110 different varieties of chrysanthemum locally known as Gul-i-Dawoodi. Stall of Defence Housing Authority (DHA) was part of the annual event. Visitors including families and children thronged the event.

Prof Qibla Ayaz, the chairman of Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), inaugurated the traditional 37th annual exhibition

of chrysanthemum. ICU Vice-chancellor Prof Gul Majeed Khan, Higher Education Secretary Daud Khan, and Syed Mahzar Hussain of DHA were also present at the event.

Students, faculty members and visitors from in and around Peshawar thronged the opening ceremony of the exhibition that would continue for three weeks.

Three-week annual exhibition opens at ICU

The addition of 35 other varieties fondly called ‘honeymoon’ to this year exhibition of chrysanthemum compared to last’s year 75 lent extra charm and beauty to the show.

Students and teachers from local educational institutions were also charmed with the magical sight of the medley of flowers.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the speakers said that such events could motivate youngsters to promote innovative ideas for countering the hazards of environmental pollution and was the best way to protect plants and flowers for saving the nature that not only charmed the sight but also elongated life on earth.

Prof Qibla Ayaz said that flowers among numerous other things were great blessing from Almighty Allah to human beings, therefore, should be protected to beat down the increasing pollution in the environment. He said that administration of ICU should be credited for arranging such a wonderful event for the visitors.

Akbar Amin, the administrative officer of ICU, said that the annual exhibition of chrysanthemum had already become a signature event as it had garnered appreciation from around the globe.

He said that seasoned gardeners of ICU had been adding new varieties to the show.

Ali Hoti, the sports director, said that owing to its widespread popularity, time of the display of the chrysanthemum was to be extended to three weeks so that maximum visitors from the across the province could enjoy its charming view.

Such events, he said, could trigger a deep sense in young people to fight climate change.

Sardar Ali, a student of a local college, told this scribe that he and his eight classmates attended the exhibition and drew great inspiration.

Mohammad Javed Khan, the chief gardner, said that he and his colleagues made extra efforts to present different floral designs with added varieties of chrysanthemum.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2021