All India Kitchen Garden Association has been organising its annual flower show since decades. This annual events much awaited not only by its members but general public also eagerly waits for this spectacular show. Over the years our show has gained immense popularity amongst environment enthusiasts and garden lovers for whom it’s a great opportunity to see exotic varieties of plants, flowers, shrubs, fruit trees, cacti and succulents, bonsais, trey gardens and beautiful garden accessories. One can buy all kinds of plants, seeds and bulbs under one roof. There are various demonstrations on making bottle gardens, trey gardens and hanging baskets where members of AIKGA teach theses skills. There are many competitions in different sections and hundreds of members participate enthusiastically in all these competitions every year. There is a painting competition specially for children the theme of which is always Nature & Environment. It is very heartening to see so many children participating in the competition. It serves dual purpose. One the children learn to participate, two they get motivated to do gardening in their respective homes and learn to respect nature.
Community Nutrition is an integral part of our organisation. A lot of emphasis is given on growing organic veggies in our home gardens and eating straight from the garden is our motto. So a special competition is always kept in the Nutrition section where members participate in various categories like, Nutritious lunch for school going children, special meal for pregnant and lactating mothers, diet plan for elderly, healthy snacks for children and old, healthy baked items, nutritious salads, healthy drinks, pickles and squashes, jams and jellies etc. prizes are given in each category which encourages ladies to come out with innovative nutritious recipes. The response is overwhelming and the talent of ladies is worth appreciating.
Bella Gupta our Gen Secretary who has taken over the reins of AIKGA after our illustrious founder Sarla Bhargava, is an iconic lady who has been leading our organisation since last more than two decades and has taken AIKGA to new heights and the popularity of our show is mainly due to her vision, encouragement to youngsters and her excellent administration which has kept the huge organisation united like a big family. Her dedication and sincerity inspires us all. The show is getting better and better each passing year and new members are increasing by the day. The show is held at Gulmohar clob grounds and attracts huge foot fall. The two day show this time also was a big success and was covered by Doordarshan and other channels as well as news papers. Inspired by the success of our show the Noida residents also started their own flower show on these lines.
AIKGA holds basic gardening classes for all beginners in a 10 day course. The students are also Like every year this year too Safdarjung Enclave unit 8B won many prizes in the best terrace and small garden Category, Our prize winners were, Parveen Mahajan, Ruby Malhotra, Arti Garg, Minakshi Gupta and Vijaylakshmi and Anuradha Wahi.
Parveen Mahajan and Ruby’s terraces are a visual delight . Vijaylakshmi is our talented member who is an expert in succulents. Her trey gardens win prizes every year and her innovative gardening in treys is worth appreciating. Out unit members have made beautiful kitchen gardens in their homes. Many of them could not participate this time. I wish that next year Safdarjung unit will be the best participating unit of AIKGA. Happy Gardening.
