MEGHBARAN GUIN, Secretary
At the outset, let me add my words of welcome to all the members for this annual meeting, which we have to take stock of what we are doing and what else we can do with your help and cooperation.
- Annual General Meeting (AGM): As you may recall, we had our last AGM on Saturday 19 August, 2023 at the Dalhousie Athletic Club. At this meeting we reviewed the work of last year and discussed plans for this year. We also elected the Executive Committee. I am `sorry, due to my ill health, I had to miss the last AGM.
- Executive Committee (EC): During the year under report, we organized four (4) meetings of the Executive Committee. At the First meeting, we also elected our office bearers. I am happy that most of the EC members, as well as the office bearers remained same and I had the privilege of working with an excellent team committed to the growth of Bengal Rose Society.
- Annual Rose Show: I am happy to report that our much-awaited annual rose show (34th) was organised at the Lion Safari Park, Rabindra Sarovar on 12-14 January 2024.It was a very well attended show was Inaugurated on 12 January by Mr. Diptendu Bera, Director of Horticulture, Govt. of West Bengal in the presence of Justice G.N. Ray, our past President. Lion Ratan Dagar of Lion Club was the Guest of Honor. On 14th January 2024, Mr. Debashish Kumar, Mayor in Council of KMC gave away the prizes to the successful competitors / winners in presence of several important dignitaries.
I believe we had a heavy footfall this year and also it was very well covered by the media. I am thankful to all my exhibitors, organizers, more particularly our collaborators, the Lion Safari Park & Lions Club of Kolkata North, who as in previous years, provided all the support in making the Show a grand one. In particular, I would like to express my gratefulness to Mr Pravin Chharia, Mr OP Bangur and Mr SS Rajput, for their cooperation and support.
Among the major attraction at the Show were more than 70 pots with 200+ flowers. This was a real treat and attracted lots of appreciative comments. Avalenche by Ms. Papia Mukherjee was adjudged the Best Pot at the Show. In the cut roses section, the major prize winners were Ms. Jharna Sarma (King of the Show), Sanjib Ghatak (Queen of the Show) and Mr Prashant Mondal (Best Indian Rose). I once again congratulate all the winners and exhibitors and request their active participation in our Show next year too.
I am also happy to report that this Year’s show was dedicated in the memory of our past President Late Shri S.B. Mookherjee, our major pillar of strength for many years.
- Viru Viraraghavan Award: As a tribute to the legendary Viru Uncle, who passed away last year, Bengal Rose Society instituted the Viru Viraraghavan Award for Lifetime Achievements by a member of BRS. The first recipient was Mr Amitava Mukherjee.
- A commemorative rose: As another tribute to Viru Uncle, our very active Joint Secretary and an eminent rose breeder, released a new rose ‘Legendary Viru Sir’.
- Growers’ Meet: After a gap of several years, we have again started the activity of organizing a Growers’ Meet to discuss their problems and provide guidance on growing issues. This year’s meet was organized on 31 March 2024 at the Dalhousie Athletic Club where more than 50 participants discussed several issues.
- BRS Rose News: Our Society has started an e-Newsletter reporting on all the activities of BRS as well as other rose societies across the country, as well as important rose news. The first issue was released at our Show this year and the Second issue was released recently. A copy of the Second issue is available for distribution. On behalf of the Society, I thank our President, Dr Narendra Dadlani for initiating this excellent communication instrument.
- IRF Gold Medals: I am very pleased to report that BRS members continue to excel at the all- India level. This was exemplified by our members Megh Baran Guin (myself) and Mr Nimai Mukherjee were awarded the Gurubaksh Singh Gold Medal and Vijay Pokarna Gold Medal for 2024 at this year’s Indian Rose Convention at Bhubaneswar in January 2024.
- BRS Website: I am happy to inform all the members that our Society Website has a new look. It has been designed by a BRS member, Mr Nayan Routh & his Team and we are grateful to them. The website is still under construction and I would like to seek your valued suggestions for further improving it. I express my gratitude to our Vice President Mr Kamal Prakash Ji for all the support and our President Dr Dadlani for initiating the changes.
