On Friday, January 26, New Delhi’s Kartavya Path hosted the Republic Day procession. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) project known as the Purple Revolution was one of the many tableaus that caught attention throughout the march. among Jammu and Kashmir, among the lavender fields of Bhaderwah, this amazing initiative is now under progress.
With its charming lavender flower arrangement, the tableau recounts the history of the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine located in Jammu. It tells the story of how a unique kind of lavender was developed, cultivated, and processed to make incense sticks, fragrances, and essential oils. Given that farmers in Bhaderwah and the surrounding areas have recently become prosperous entrepreneurs, the Purple Revolution is a tribute to both India’s scientific brilliance and the entrepreneurial zeal of these communities.
Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of Science and Technology, frequently cites the Purple Revolution as an illustration of how to take lavender innovation from the laboratory to the marketplace. This program is crucial to creating a new culture of agricultural entrepreneurs in India, which will promote expansion and creativity in the industry.
Jitendra Singh shared a post on January 20 from his X account titled “Agri Startups throughout the nation are being inspired by the Purple Revolution in Bhaderwah, J & K.” The Himalayan states are home to a plethora of startup opportunities. The lavender success story of Jammu and Kashmir is being replicated in the regions of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Northeast. With PM Narendra Modi’s emphasis on these sectors, entrepreneurs in this region have a significant chance of contributing to India’s development by 2047. Speaking at the UDAY Startup Summit in Jammu, the Minister said these things.
The city of Bhaderwah saw the birth of a novel movement known as the “Purple Revolution” among the stunning scenery of Jammu and Kashmir. It all began when nearby farmers made the decision to grow the fragrant and colorful lavender on the area’s hills. Scientists at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine are currently investigating the therapeutic benefits of lavender as this ground-breaking movement gains traction.
Bhaderwah is known as the “Lavender Valley” because of the charming rows of vivid purple flowers that grace the hillsides. Local farmers seized a once-in-a-lifetime chance that transformed their circumstances. According to Zabeer Ahmed, director of the CSIR-III “Lavender oil is already available to farmers at a price of Rs 10000 per litre, but now we are focusing on some value-addition interventions and also studying the wastage of the oil extraction process.”
Agriculturalists in the area have been growing lavender since 2017. The initiative, called Aroma Mission, was started by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research with the goal of showcasing the extraordinary potential of essential oils made from aromatic plants.
Due to its ability to reduce tension and provide a relaxing impact, lavender oil has become quite popular. Its pleasant scent is becoming widely used in cosmetics and fragrances, drawing customers from all over the world. In an intriguing study, the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine in Hyderabad is working with the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology to address sleep issues through the use of lavender oil.
Scientists and farmers work together in Bhaderwah’s lavender valley to discover the possibilities of this amazing plant. Together, they strive for a bright future in which lavender heals and brings tranquility to people who seek it out, going beyond its olfactory and visual attractiveness. ‘Mark’ is the residue that remains after lavender flowers are steam-distilled in a certain way to obtain the oil. This mark has the potential to become a lucrative source of money for farmers if the health advantages are verified.
“We are trying to isolate and characterize what kind of molecules are present in the mark,” said Zabir Ahmed. A few compounds have been extracted by our experts. These are novel molecules. We are treating these compounds with bioactivity, such as anti-cancer activity. With the type of molecules Mark is providing us, additional discoveries may be made down the road.
Hydrosol, a fragrant water infused with lavender that has several applications, is another product of the steam distillation process. This multipurpose ingredient is used to create energizing body sprays, bathroom fresheners, and room sprays. Furthermore, the market places a high value on dried lavender stalks due to their two-year scent retention. Jammu and Kashmir
