Chandigarh, February 24th: The eagerly awaited 40th Chandigarh Rose Festival 2012 got off to a colorful start at the lush green Zakir Rose Garden blooming with colourful roses today amidst utmost gaiety and enthusiasm. The inaugural ceremony was performed by the Adviser to the Administrator, Sh.K.K.Sharma in the presence of Raj Bala Malik, Mayor, Home Secretary Sh.Anil Kumar, Finance Secretary Sh.V.K.Singh , Secretary Tourism Sh.D.K.Tiwari, IG Police, P.K.Shrivastva and DC Brijander Singh and Commissioner MC, Ms.Prerna Puri and other senior officers of Chandigarh Administration and Municipal Corporation along with councillors .The lively and fun filled ceremony was marked by the releasing of balloons, playing of brass and pipe bands, beating of drums and trumpets , performance of folk dances by different states and display of other distinctive regional art forms depicting the ‘unity in diversity’ culture of our country.
The Adviser to the Administrator described the Rose Festival of Chandigarh, as one of the best flower festivals in the country. He added that the exhilarating environment and the exuberance shown by the participants and visitors are highly appreciable to make this festival memorable. The main attraction on the inaugural day of Rose Festival 2012 was the first time introduced fancy Floral Hat contest open to all age group .The visitors were seen wearing colourful floral hats while few children were involved in making colourful hats on the spot in the garden. There were a few families who had come with all decked up in colourful attires topped by floral hats. The Attractive prizes were given to the best participants of this unique competition.
The Adviser to the Administrator also released the Rose folder on the occasion .The Rose Festival has attracted thousands of visitors, from all walks of life. A Folk dance competition was also held at Rose Garden. More than twelve colleges and schools participated and in the college category, the first prize of Rs 7500 was won by Govt College for Girls, Sector 11.The second prize of Rs 5000 was won by Guru Gobind Singh College for men, Sector 26 and third prize of Rs.4000 was won by Govt College Sector 46. In school category, the first prize of Rs.5000 was won by Govt school, Sector 10, second prize of Rs 3000 was won by State Institute of Blind Sector 26 and third prize of Rs.2000 by Dev Samaj School, Sector 21.
The Rose Festival attracted a large number of residents of tricity and visitors thronging both the venues at the Rose Garden and Leisure Valley to be a part of the festivities amidst beautiful flower decoration at both venues with thousands of visitors thronging to be a part of the festivities. With fresh and innovative competitions like floral Hat contest and Ms & Mr.Rose Chandigarh contest, the Rose Festival was a great hit.The semi finalist of the Mr.& Ms/.Rose contest was held at the main stage in the in Rose Garden and the final round would place in the Leisure Valley in the evening.
There will be a live Performance by Aditi Paul alongwith Fashion show where the contestants of Ms & Mr. Rose Chandigarh will walk the ramp at Leisure Valley. On 25th, there will be a live performance by renowned Punjabi Singh Amarinder Gill .Tomorrow and day after, there will be various competitions, like The Rose Prince and Princess Competition for children, on the spot painting competition. The flower arrangements, cut flowers and flowers grown in pots for garden lovers, kite flying, besides joy ride, camel ride were enjoyed by the Public .The Kite flying competition will be a major attraction on Saturday at 12 noon alongwith the ever popular Rose prince & princess competition for children having entries more than 800 entries.