Chandigarh, Feb 25 , The eagerly awaited Chandigarh Rose Festival 2011 got off to a colorful start on Friday with the inaugural ceremony performed by the Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Mr. Shivraj V. Patil at the lush green Zakir Rose Garden amidst utmost gaiety and enthusiasm. The lively and fun filled ceremony was marked by the releasing of balloons, playing of brass and pipe bands, beating of drums, performance of folk dances by different states and display of other distinctive regional art forms depicting the ‘unity in diversity’ culture of our country. He said that it provides a right platform to the artists and artisans to project their rich cultural heritage and an opportunity to display; our capabilities, innovations and expertise to transform India to take its place in the comity of Nations.
Describing the Rose Festival of Chandigarh, as one of the best flower festivals in the country, Mr Patil said that this festival is not only limited to the flower show but also serves a lot to its visitors. The exhilarating carnival presents mind blowing folk dances performed by artists of NZCC at Rose Garden.
The Administrator showed keen interest in the artistic endeavour and band performances and interacted with them. He also went around the festival and flower arrangements, potted plants, aesthetically and beautifully displayed.
Mr. Patil, while interacting with the senior officers, horticulturists and landscaping experts, emphasized the need for a more collective and organized effort for sharing their expertise, experience and knowledge and to work together for strengthening the relationship between man and nature and to convert this vision of garden art as a tribute to the natural landscape. This festival must be made more diversified with educative and meaningful ventures to meet the gardening, artistic and cultural needs of the people of all walks of life.
The Administrator also released the Rose folder on the occasion The Rose Festival has attracted thousands of visitors, from all walks of life. The three day event will have various competitions, like Rose
The Rose Prince and Princess Competition for children, on the spot painting competition, flower arrangements, cut flowers and flowers grown in pots for garden lovers, kite flying, besides joy ride, camel ride, monkey dance,
puppet show followed by cultural evenings by renowned singers and film personalities.
A Folk dance competition was also held at Rose Garden. The celebrations of the Rose Festival could be seen in full gusto at the Leisure Valley as well. Various food corners including that of CITCO, Chandigarh Institute of Hotel Management, Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management and UIHMT, Panjab University have been set up. The other exhibitors include Durga Seed Store, Celebrations Forever, Credent Organics, Century Agro Energy, Gary Arts, Shivalik Nursery, International Panacea Ltd, V.K Arts, Azad Aquariums, Health Seekers, city Aquariums and Fishes, National Seed Corporation, Manchand Decorative items, Alliance Francaise, Horticulture Division 2, Chandigarh Tourism, STEPS, Le Corbusier Centre, Traffic Police, Government
Museum and Art Gallery Sector 10, Home Science College, Sector 10.
An amusement park having different swings and rides is an added attraction
for children as well as youngsters at the Leisure Valley. The centre of
attraction for the children is a puppet show being put up by the Reserve
Bank of India. Today in the evening, Punjabi singer, Hansraj Hans Raj will
enthrall the audience at leisure Valley.
Senior officers who were present at the inaugural ceremony included Mr.
Pradip Mehra, Adviser to Administrator, Mr. Srivastava, Inspector General of
Police, Mr. Ram Niwas, Home Secretary, Mr. V.K. Singh, Finance Secretary,
Mr. Brijender Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Ravinder Pali, Mayor, Mr
Naunnihal Singh SSP , Dr. Roshan Sankaria, Commissioner, Municipal
Corporation, Mr. D.K. Tiwari, Managing Director, CITCO and Mr. D.S.Saroya,
Director, North Zone Cultural Centre.