National Banana Festival: Prizes Given Away to Exhibitors, Contest Winners

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
The National Banana Festival 2018, which concluded in Vellayani on Wednesday, brought forth a slew of ideas and activities that would prove to be beneficial to the banana farmers, researchers, scientists and consumers, in a major way.
The valedictory function inaugurated by Minister for Agriculture V S Sunil Kumar also witnessed a host of awards being given away.
Prizes were given away Minister V S Sunil Kumar, Suresh Gopi, MP; Dr M G Sasibhooshan, Historian and Former Professor; and A Sakunthala Kumari, President, Nemom Block Panchayat distributed the awards. Apart from the awards for the winners of the various competitions, prizes were also given away to the best exhibitors hailing from different parts of the country.
Prizes were given away to the best exhibitors from the government and non-government sector. In the government sector, the Best Knowledge Partner Award was given to NRC Banana, Trichy.
The Best Exhibitor – Overall Performance – Award went to KVIC. First prize for the Best Exhibitor in the government sector was given to the Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu. The second prize was shared between Farm Information Bureau and CTCRI.
In the Non-government sector the 1st and the 2nd second prizes were awarded to Thanal and Eco Green, Coimbatore respectively. The 3rd prize was presented to BGM Global Solutions, Coimbatore.
The first prize in the Best Innovators Awards was presented to Kumarappa Handmade Paper Institute, Jaipur. The 2nd and the 3rd prizes were given to Kadalivana Natural Foods and Ramdinesh Food LLP, Nellur respectively. Dr. Saakshy, scientist from Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute Jaipur (KNHPI), who received the award from the Minister, reminded banana farmers about the great potential of using whole banana waste and fibre for making specialty paper, so that they can earn additional income.
Vinod S, the famed banana farmer from Paarasala who has cultivated over 100 banana varieties and is well known by the name Vazhachettan, was honoured with the Best Banana Conservation Award. Benny’S Organo was presented with the Best Entrepreneur Award.
The prizes for the photography, cooking and painting competitions were distributed at the venue. In the photography contest, Apratim Pal from Kolkata won the first prize of Rs 10,000 while Sarathlal from Thiruvananthapuram was awarded the second prize of Rs 7,000. The third prize of Rs 5000 was presented to Saju Naduvil, Kannur.
The consolation prizes of Rs 2000 were awarded to Shaji, Cherthala and Venugopal D, Kollam. As many as 22 dishes made of bananas were prepared by the participants as part of the Cooking competition. Of the 22 dishes, Rajasree’s Banana Burger and banana chocolate bagged the 1st and 2nd prize respectively. Mercykutty George’s banana honey and Sushma Madhu’s banana flower cutlet shared the third prize. Banana psuedostem pickle prepared by Sushma Madhu and banana flower pudding by G Usha won the 4th and 5th place respectively.
The cash prize and certificates for the painting competition, which was held in three categories were awarded at the function. The first, second and third prize winners of all the three categories were awarded cash prizes of Rs 2000, Rs 1500 and Rs 1000 respectively.
In category 1, which included students of class 1 – 3, the first prize was awarded to Srawan K S, Perur MVGLP School, Kollam. The 2nd and 3rd prizes were presented to Sanujith B, Indian Public School, Mukhathala and Mahima V S, Bharatiya VIdhya Mandir, Kulathoor. Sreya K S, Vimala Hridaya HSS for Girls, Kollam, won the first prize in category 2, which was conducted for students from classes 4th –
7th. Aarathy Gopan, AMHSS, Thirumala and Aleena A P, Carmel Girls HSS, Vazhuthacaud were awarded the 2nd and 3rd prizes. In category 3 for which students of class 8th – 10th participated, Ashtami R S, GHSS, Cotton Hill, won the first prize while Lakshmi V S, St Theresa's CGHSS, Neyyattinkara won the second prize. Anugrah S, SNHSS, Uzhamalakkal won the third prize.
Vijayan Cheruthuruthy who showcased the antique farm and household equipment at the exhibition; and Rafeeq who prepared Vazha Oonu with 101 delicious banana dishes at the NBF 2018; were presented with Special Appreciation Awards. Sanghamitri was awarded the Best Farmer Produce Company.