The Annual AIKGA Show Returns on Ground After 2 years
The annual vegetable, fruits and flowers show of All India Kitchen Garden Association (AIKGA) was held on 18th and 19th of February 2023 at Gulmohar Park club, New Delhi. Members from all the units from Delhi and NCR participated in the show under various categories to showcase their labour of love. The judges had a tough time in choosing the winners.
Besides the showcase of plants there were food stalls, garden accessories, plants for sale, garden equipment and demonstrations. A painting competition was held for children below 6 years, 6 to 9 years and 9 to13 years. Rangoli made from Jamuna sand and pieces of mirror was displayed at the main stage.
Members of Unit 39 belonging to Gurugram participated in a good number and won many prizes in various categories. All the convenors, mentors and members who volunteered to help were present on both the days to welcome visitors and to be on duty at various displays.
Prize distribution was held on 19th February, Dr Prabhat Kumar, Commissioner of Horticulture, Ministry of Agriculture gave away the prizes.
The prize winners from Unit 39, are as under.
- Aarti Maheshwari – 3 prizes: large garden, ornamental plant, and impatience flower.
- .Kanika Tayla – 1 prize for balcony.
- Alka Kanwar – 3 prizes: small garden, succulents, and ornamental Plant.
- Sujata Jain – 3 prizes: small garden and 2 prizes for tray garden.
- Anita Wagh – 1 prize for small garden.
- Aparajaya Makkar – 1 prize for small garden.
- Anshu Kaushal – 1 prize for balcony.
- Mridula Gopal – 3 prizes: terrace garden, ornamental plants, and lemon plant in a pot.
- Prem Duggar – 3 prizes: small garden, 2 prizes for tray garden.
- Rekha Gupta – 1 prize for large garden.
- Ruchika Agarwal – 1 prize for farm.
- Savita Kashyap – 2 prizes: balcony and succulents.
- Anu Dhawan – 4 prize: terrace garden, chutney, fruits, and herbs.
- Asha Kapoor – 2 prizes: ornamental plant and balcony.
While congratulating the winners I happen to speak with a few and would like to quote them.
Aarti Maheshwari a resident of DLF Phase 2 participated in the competition for the first time. In fact, her name was added to the list by Ila ji, who is one of the convenors of Unit 39. Aarti often receives appreciation for her garden and plants. She has a huge collection of water plants, fruit trees, vegetable beds and seasonal flowers but she was never interested and sure about participating. She has been actively involved in the upkeep of her garden and plants since the last five years and she gives full credit to her teachers, mentors, and the sessions and classes held online and offline. She also thanks her Mali for his help and eagerness to learn with her. Aarti is open to suggestions and new ideas and keeps thinking of improving her garden. Now with her first participation and winner of three prizes, (large garden – second prize, Ornamental plant – first prize, and Annual flowers, Impatience – second prize) she has confidence and wants to start planning for the next year early on. In her words “Dar kay aagey jeet hai“
Kanika Tayla is also a DLF 2 resident. She developed her Balcony into a garden in 2016 and has been working on it collectively with her husband, Pawan Tayla. She refused to travel as she was constantly worried about watering her plants and that’s when the husband-wife team decided to install a water irrigation system at their balcony and terrace. This was her second time in participating under Balcony Garden category and on both occasions she has won second prize for her Balcony.
Tayla family loves to spend time in the balcony. Artificial grass, artifacts, antiques add to the greens and seasonal flowers which are well placed and give an aesthetic beauty. Kanika was in full praise for her full time help who takes interest in the plants and looks after them. The family gives a free hand to all members to place and arrange the pots and plants as per ones liking. The prize this year was collected by Kanika’s sons as she was travelling with her husband and her sons were equivalently happy to receive the prize for their mother.
Resident of South City 1, Sujata Jain is not a new name for garden lovers and for participating in competitions. She has won numerous prizes over the last five years in many categories. This year she won three prizes. With construction work at her home her garden was not in the best form, but she with her Mali turned it over in a week’s time and managed to bag the second prize for small garden and two prizes for her Tray Garden under highly recommended category. Sujata inherited the art of gardening from her parents. Her mother grew all vegetables at home, blessed with many fruit trees at her parents home Sujata’s childhood was around nature. After marriage when her new house was being constructed in South City 1, she designed the terrace for gardening besides a lawn and has been growing all types of plants at home.
She is thankful to Dr. Sabharwal for his guidance and her son who inspires her to grow vegetables at home. A member of AIKGA since 2012 Sujata has participated in all exhibitions, melas and given demonstrations.
Sujata was very appreciative of her Mali, who helps her and the best thing about him is that he sings “bhajans” while working and watering the plants, which according to Sujata keeps her plants happy, calm and stress free.
Alka Kanwar is a resident of DLF Phase 1, she is an avid gardener who was always interested in gardening. With more time on hand, she is now able to give time to her hobby. She is passionate about growing plants and loves to be surrounded by plants. Alka has developed an empty plot next to her house and grows vegetables there.
This was her first-time entry for a competition. She gave her name one day before the last day to register. Once the name was given, she became excited and started caring and preparing her garden and plants. Alka won three prizes at the show. Second prize for small garden, second prize for succulents and a second prize for a Palm under ornamental category.
Alka likes to spend morning hours with her plants and takes help from her Mali from time to time. Her family loves her plants and like to share the pictures on social media. Alka loves to share extra vegetables with her friends, staff and neighbour’s.
She enjoyed the experience of going and participating in the competition but felt she needs more hands to organize everything next time more efficiently.
We congratulate all the winners of Unit 39 and wish to see more participation and prizes next year.
