The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology unveiled a new variety of lotus named 'NBRI Namoh 108,' developed by CSIR-NBRI with 108 petals. What makes this lotus variety special, and which characteristic of this variety is notable among all lotus varieties?

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh unveiled the new variety "Lotus" flower developed by Lucknow Institute CSIR-NBRI (National Botanical Research Institute) that has 108 petals. The lotus named ‘NBRI Namoh 108’ is developed by the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), a premier plant-based, multidisciplinary, state-of-the-art National R&D center based in Lucknow. The Namoh 108 lotus variety flowers from March to December and is rich in nutrients. This is the first lotus variety whose genome is completely sequenced for its characteristics. Dr Jitendra Singh also released apparel made from lotus fibre and perfume ‘Frotus’, extracted from lotus flowers and developed by the NBRI under the Lotus Research Programme in collaboration with FFDC, Kannauj. About NBRI It is amongst one of the constituent research institutes of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi.