Team Blitz India
LUCKNOW: A new variety of lotus flower with 108 petals, named “Namoh 108”, was unveiled by Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh here on August 19. Developed by the city-based National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), the new variety flowers from March to December and is the first flower whose genome is completely sequenced for its characteristics.
Dedicating to the nation the Namoh108 lotus variety and its products, Singh said, “Considering the religious importance of the ‘lotus flower’ and ‘the digit 108’, this combination gives an important identity to this variety.” He also released an apparel made from lotus fibre and perfume ‘Frotus’, extracted from lotus flowers.
Lauding the NBRI for naming the unique lotus variety as Namoh 108, Singh said it is a grand gift to the relentless zeal and innate beauty of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Under the guidance of PM Modi, the Government has now initiated the Lotus Mission after the stupendous success of Aroma Mission,” he said.
In another novel initiative at recycling, Singh also released herbal colours extracted by NBRI from flower offerings made at temples. These colours can also be used for dying silk and cotton cloths, he added.
