Eager to grab a slice of the half billion-dollar global orchid market, the state horticulture department has launched the Tropical Orchids Production project. It is being touted as a game-changer for floriculturistsacross the state. A sprawling naturally-ventilated polyhouse or orchid garden, open to tourists and orchid aficionados, has been set up in Jalpaiguri’s Mohitnagar.

 

Beneficiaries in Darjeeling and Kalimpong are being provided subsidies and training to replicate the project as Bengal awaits bumper crops in the next two to three years. It started in a derelict horticultural farm under the aegis of the West Bengal State Food Processing Horticulture Development Corporation Limited(WBSFPHDCL), which then signed an agreement with the Siliguri-based North Bengal Floritech. The Utsarika Horticulture Farm, now registered with the National Horticulture Board, and named Urvi-Zara, was set up. 'The demand for orchids, with their resplendent colours and complex designs, is driving the global market like never before,' said Subrata Gupta, additional chief secretary, state department of food processing industries and horticulture. As polyhouses made of steel tube are expensive, the horticulture department designed bamboo-based polyhouses for Rs 45,000, with Rs 22,500 as subsidy. But this, too, was beyond farmers’ means. The scheme was tweaked. The beneficiaries were asked to bring the bamboo from their own plantations. Components for the structureswere provided by the state government. Thus, 2,513 polyhouses have come up in the Hills. Another polyhouse is being planned at Mohitnagar.The revenue earned from these polyhouses would be ploughed back for the expansion of orchid cultivation in north Bengal, officials said.

 

Return airfares from Mumbai to north states soar for Diwali; Ranchi & Raipur hit Rs 40,000

Airfares for non-stop flights from Mumbai to northern states during Diwali week have been extremely high this year. Ranchi and Raipur have the highest fares, with return fares of Rs 40,000. Return fares to cities such as Prayagraj, Patna, Lucknow, Gaya, Darbhanga, and Agra have crossed Rs 30,000. However, fares to destinations like Goa, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, and Hyderabad are under Rs 10,000. The high fares are due to the limited number of flights to northern destinations compared to southern cities.

Return airfares from Mumbai to north states soar for Diwali; Ranchi & Raipur hit Rs 40,000

Airfares for travel during the Diwali week from Mumbai to northern states have hit record highs this year. Return fares to cities like Ranchi and Raipur have reached Rs 40,000, while fares to other cities like Prayagraj, Patna, and Lucknow have crossed Rs 30,000. In contrast, fares to destinations like Goa and Hyderabad remain under Rs 10,000.

Odisha govt begins process for installation of Wi-Fi facilities in state public university campuses

The government of Odisha has initiated the process of installing Wi-Fi services at state public university campuses to improve the academic environment. The higher education department has requested universities to submit cost estimates for approval. Some universities, such as Utkal University and Rama Devi Womens University, have already implemented free Wi-Fi using university funds. The government aims to fulfill its promise of providing free Wi-Fi and 1 GB data for students, as stated in the ruling party's election manifesto.