09/06/2026
PETALS, SCIENCE AND SOUVENIRS: A DAY AT THE NBRI
On May 29th, 2026, the students of La Martiniere Girls' College swapped their textbooks for a dynamic four-hour mini-internship at the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI).
Once a state-run garden, this premier CSIR facility became a massive, interactive classroom for Classes 9 through 12, offering a deep dive into the diverse world of modern botany.
The campus was buzzing with curiosity as the girls set out to explore. The itinerary was packed, taking them through the fragrance lab, exposition lab, ethnobotanical gallery and the historic herbarium. Moving from room to room, the students picked up the history of NBRI, discovered the science of making fragrances, and even discussed possible solutions to recent environmental issues like urban heat islands.
Rather than just watching from the sidelines, the girls engaged directly with botanical specialists. The conversations covered everything from tribal traditions and medicinal herbs to seed preservation and rare plant species.
Experts showed how professionals preserve specimens and construct herbarium sheets.
To wrap up the four hours, science met artistry. The girls got hands-on, crafting their own custom keepsake souvenirs using delicately dried flowers and leaves.
The day ended on a proud note with a formal certificate ceremony, celebrating a quick but unforgettable time in the field of botany.
