In a remarkable event, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI) in Lucknow unveiled a magnificent specimen of the lotus, the emblematic national flower of India. Named 'Namoh 108', this distinct variety boasts 108 petals. As a tribute to the nation's legacy, the flower was ceremoniously dedicated to the citizens right before the 77th Independence Day by the esteemed Director-General of CSIR, N. Kalaiselvi.

The launch was part of the acclaimed "One Week One Lab Programme" at NBRI that commenced the previous week.

Delighted with the new development, the Director-General N. Kalaiselvi remarked, “It's a serendipitous moment that 'Namoh 108' finds its dedication to our country a day ahead of our Independence Day. The profound religious significance of both the lotus and the numeral '108' endows this variety with an exceptional identity.”

She further delved into the history of the flower, revealing that the lotus was procured by diligent NBRI scientists from the scenic state of Manipur for comprehensive research. In a groundbreaking revelation, she shared, "This is the first Lotus variety to have its entire genome sequenced. This significant achievement ensures that this plant will never face extinction, unlike several other flora species."

Highlighting the uniqueness of the 'Namoh 108' variety, head researcher K.J. Singh pointed out its unparalleled resilience to diverse weather conditions. With a flowering span from March to December, its longevity surpasses other varieties, which typically flower for just 4-5 months.

The Enigma of 108 | In the cultural and religious tapestry of India, the number 108 has deep-rooted significance. From Hinduism and Buddhism to Jainism, the reverence for 108 is consistent. Be it the recitation of mantras, the beads on a mala, or the repetitive Surya Namaskar in yoga, 108 is omnipresent. Delving deeper, it's fascinating to note that the distance from the Earth to the Sun is 108 times the sun's diameter. Likewise, the sun's diameter is 108 times that of Earth.

The ancient Vedic scholars, accomplished mathematicians, recognized 108 as a Harshad number, which denotes the universe's entirety. In the realm of Vedic astrology, the union of nine planets and twelve zodiacs gives the magical number of 108. Similarly, by multiplying the 27 constellations with the four primary directions, we again achieve the sacred 108.

In Buddhism, a calculation encompassing the six senses, their attributes, their origin, and their existence across time yields the number 108. Jainism too holds 108 as the total ways of Karma influx.

A Celebratory Release | During the grand event at NBRI, attendees were treated to a showcase of apparels crafted from the delicate lotus fibre and an aromatic perfume derived from the plant.

A.K. Shasany, the Institute's Director, emphasized the versatility of the lotus. He shared how the stem's fibre was meticulously crafted by weavers from Barabanki district into a traditional Manipuri coat. Moreover, a delightful fragrance named 'Frotus' was introduced, which is a joint venture of NBRI and the Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre, Kannauj.

In addition to the star attraction, 'Namoh 108', an innovative variety of aloe vera named 'NBRI-Nihar' was also launched. This variant promises a gel yield 2.5 times higher than conventional ones and boasts resistance to bacterial and fungal infections.

As the nation strides forward, such innovations reflect the fusion of tradition and technology, reigniting our nationalistic pride and excitement for the future.