Goa's Raj Bhavan hosted a grand Jackfruit Festival on June 10, 2023, at the New Durbar Hall. The event witnessed the presence of three esteemed Governors: Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana; Rajendra Arlekar, Governor of Bihar; and P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, Governor of Goa. The festival aimed to showcase the diverse varieties of jackfruit and promote its significance in various aspects of life.
Several dignitaries attended the festival, including Prof. H.B. Menon, the Vice Chancellor of Goa University, and jackfruit experts George Kulangara and Varghese Tharakal from Kerala. The festival coincided with the 71st birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and to commemorate this special occasion, 71 Ayur Jack variety jackfruit plants were planted.
Rajendra Arlekar, the Governor of Bihar, took part in the afforestation initiative at the Raj Bhavan campus by planting coconut and mango saplings. Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, the Governor of Telangana, had the honour of harvesting the first Ayurjack variety of jackfruit from the Raj Bhavan Garden.
The Jackfruit Festival exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan and Rajendra Arlekar in the presence of Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai. The exhibition featured a variety of jackfruit species and value-added products made from jackfruit, allowing attendees to taste and experience the versatility of this remarkable fruit.
During his speech, Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai emphasized the significance of jackfruit, referring to it as the "Deva Vruksha" due to its medicinal and cultural importance in daily life. He expressed his joy at the 71 AyurJack saplings planted on the Raj Bhavan Goa campus, which had started bearing fruit just 20 months after being planted.
Governor Rajendra Arlekar commended the Governor of Goa for organizing this unique festival, highlighting the importance of including jackfruit and its value in the educational curriculum. He believed that educating students about the significance of jackfruit would foster a greater appreciation for this fruit and its benefits.
Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan praised the efforts of the Governor of Goa in organizing the Jackfruit Festival, which served as a platform to raise awareness about the various jackfruit varieties and products available. She also drew a parallel between the rapid growth of the jackfruit plants and the swift pace of Prime Minister Modi's work.
As part of the festival, the Department of Agriculture conducted a Technical Seminar, focusing on the cultivation and commercial viability of jackfruit and its value-added products. Around 100 farmers from Goa participated, gaining valuable insights into the potential of jackfruit farming.
