Shoolini University’s annual three-day Flower Fest returned to campus on March 14, drawing over 500 visitors. The fest, which has become a much-awaited spring tradition at the university, brings together nature enthusiasts, students, and locals from Solan and nearby areas every year.
The event was inaugurated by the former head of the Forest Department in Himachal Pradesh, Pankaj Khullar. With extensive experience in forestry administration, Khullar has worked across planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of forestry and soil conservation projects. His expertise also spans environmental clearances, environmental impact assessments, catchment area planning, and soil conservation.
Adding to the occasion, another guest, Durlabh Singh Puri, a life member of the Royal Horticultural Society (UK), appreciated the efforts behind organising the Flower Fest and highlighted its larger impact.
“The initiative encourages people to grow plants and understand nature more closely,” he said. Sharing his personal preference, Puri said Begonia is his favourite plant, adding that it teaches growers valuable lessons in plant care, including how to deal with pests, diseases, and changing environmental conditions.
The fest also saw enthusiastic participation from school students, with groups visiting from St. Luke’s School (Solan), Solan Public School, Geeta Adarsh Vidyalaya (Solan), and St. Mary’s Convent School (Kasauli). Adding to the excitement, a lucky draw was held during the event, with 25 visitors receiving flower tokens.
This year’s edition showcased more than 200 varieties of flowering plants, including orchids, anthuriums, pink quill, bromeliads, ranunculus, birds of paradise, and begonias. Creative installations and decorative arrangements by students and staff added an artistic layer. Some plants were sourced internationally, including the Christmas Cactus from China, while seeds were imported from Germany and Italy.
Director of Landscape and Innovative Projects Suresh Sharma spoke about the festival’s growth over the years. “When we started, the festival showcased nearly 20 plant varieties. Over the years, it has grown significantly. This year marks the 13th Flower Fest, with more than 200 varieties on display, including around 10–15 rare and exotic species,” he said.
Sustainability remained central to the event. Installations made from waste materials showed how discarded items can be turned into functional and visually engaging displays.
Director of Sustainability and Community Engagement, Poonam Nanda, appreciated the efforts of the students who helped organise and manage the fest.
The event was also attended by the university’s leadership, including Vice Chancellor Prof Atul Khosla, Trustee & Vice President Avnee Khosla, Pro Vice Chancellor Vishal Anand, and Trustee and Director, School of Media and Communications, Nishtha Shukla Anand.
From 20 varieties in its early years to over 200 today, the festival has grown steadily, with each edition setting the stage for the next.