Support pours in for Bonsai art

– Bonsai Namaste was concluded on Sunday, February 25
– The exhibition was huge success having more over 40000 visitors on final day

Pune, February 25, 2018: On final day of Bonsai Namaste support poured in from various stakeholders to take Bonsai art to next level in India. Most of the dignitaries present at the ceremony pledged some support for Bonsai making Prajakta Kale, organiser of Bonsai Namaste happy on her birthday by acknowledging her passion and efforts for Bonsai art. The valedictory function of the India’s first ever largest Bonsai Exhibition and International Convention was held on Sunday, February 25 at Agriculture College Ground, Sinchan nagar, Pune.

The dignitaries present during the occasion were General V K Singh, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, India, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Finance & Planning and Forest Minister, Govt. of Maharashtra with his wife Sapna Mungantiwar, Mukta Tilak, Mayor, Pune, Swami Govind Dev Giri, Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam of All India Imam Organization, Delhi, Talsani Shrinivas Yadav, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy Development Corporation and Cinematography, Govt. Telangana, Swaran Salaria, Former Chairman Board of Women and Child Development, Punjab, Abhay Bongirwar, Executive Director, IDBI, Vithal Maniar, Industrialist. Shrikant Badve of Badve Industry. Also, entire ‘Bonsai Namaste’ team along with Kale family including G. S. Kale and his mother Kaveri Bai Kale were present at the event.

Speaking on this occasion Mungantiwar expressed his gratitude and said, “India doesn’t lack talent but a platform to showcase it. With Bonsai Namaste, Prajakta Kale have taken a big step to provide such huge platform to promote Bonsai as an art in the country. It is kind of her to share her knowledge and passion with commoners. This effort will surely bring India on Bonsai World map.”

Mungantiwar further added that Government of Maharashtra and his ministry will lend all possible support to promote this art. “I promise to help Bonsai Namaste to propagate Bonsai art so that it reaches commoners and especially farmers. This art has capability to develop love for nature among masses.”

While praising the dedication of Prajakta Kale, Singh said, “I didn’t imagine a spectacular platform but Bonsai Namaste is a beautifully done exhibition on such a large scale. The aim of this novel venture to make Bonsai art familiar to commoner; if propagated correctly will have tremendous effect on masses and especially farmer community of India. It will help the farmers to take up Bonsai as the climatic condition and soil of India is quite favorable for producing good quality pre-Bonsai material.”

Tilak affirmed that this exhibition was like a ‘Life Time Achievement’. She further expressed, “The Bonsai exhibition is a marvelous reflection of Prajakta Kale’s efforts. I will fully back to fulfill her dream of setting up Bonsai garden in Pune so that the art can spread to masses.”

“We are happy to launch special schemes for female farmers in association with ‘Bonsai Namaste’ under the ‘Mudra Loan Scheme’ for empowering women. This will boost women to take up Bonsai art and make living out of it by roughly earning Rs.10000- 15000 a month,” assured Bongirwar while lending support towards Bonsai art. He also expressed his view to setup permanent Bonsai display centre near Mumbai Airport so that the Indian art can be viewed by maximum people.

Talsani invited Prajakta Kale along with entire ‘Bonsai Namaste’ team to set up similar exhibition in Hyderabad and promised to extend all possible aid to execute it.

Swamiji felicitated Prajakta Kale with Puneri Pagdi and called her ‘Bonsai Empress of India’. Prajakta Kale along with entire ‘Bonsai Namaste’ team received appreciation certificate from ‘The World Bonsai Friendship Federation’ (WBFF), ‘The Bonsai Clubs International’ (BCI) and Bonsai Master Thrang from Vietnam for their passion and dedication towards Bonsai art. Also, Mr & Mrs Than Tham from Vietnam gifted a Bonsai tree along with certificate to all of them for their prolonged efforts in Bonsai.

“It was just a dream to do anything towards Bonsai. I hope this little movement started by us should reach masses for which I need everyone’s support to promote it further. It was overwhelming to receive such a response at the exhibition. I am spellbound with huge acceptance of Bonsai and to receive appreciation for our efforts,” expressed Prajakta Kale while talking about Bonsai Namaste.

A massive response of more than 40,000 people was received by the exhibition on its final day. Not only Teachers and students from Agriculture and Horticulture Institutes but also commoners showed keen interest towards this art and made the exhibition remarkable with their participation.