With the Corona pandemic forcing only symbolic celebrations last year, the 50th edition of the three-day Rose Festival kicked off with full glory here on Friday.  The festival was inaugurated by the Punjab governor and UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit. The ceremony commenced with the beating of drums, releasing of balloons, playing of bands, folk dance performances and showcasing of regional art forms.

The annual festival is being held at the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, Sector 16, from February 25 to 27.  The municipal corporation has gone all out to adorn the Rose Garden and the Leisure Valley. During these three days, high-entertainment musical evenings have been arranged for visitors. Flower arrangements and other decorations will also be showcased.  In addition to this, puppet shows, classical and folk song events, dance performances, magic shows and comic performances will be organised.

A lucky draw with 300 attractive prizes will be held for citizens who submitted feedback on Swachh Survekshan 2022.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor appreciated the efforts done by all the MC employees and officers to make this festival a grand success. He said that people from all walks of life can enjoy the arrangements of flowers and cultural items which have been organised for all age groups. He said that although all flowers have a unique character and beauty, roses are one of the most popular flowers worldwide.  It is known as the ‘Queen of Flowers’. In terms of literature, the flower has been glorified as a symbol of love, compassion and eternal beauty.

He said that Chandigarh Rose Garden has been planned in such a way that a walk through the garden is like reading a story. He said that this 3-day Rose festival is a way to pay tribute to the magnificence of the roses and a mega celebration of Nature.

The Governor said that what makes Chandigarh Rose Festival unique and special is the high level of local public participation. Now that the City has some relief on the COVID front, he was happy that the citizens could take joy in this year’s Rose Festival and a variety of engaging events being organized by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.

The Rose Festival started with the Ganesh Vandna followed by Barsane Ki Holi, Mayur Dance, Brij ke Geet, Kalbeliya Dance and Rajasthani Dance performances in the noon.  During the evening “Hasya Kavi Sammelan” was organized in the main stage of Rose Garden, in which famous poets of India including Padam Shree Surendra Dubey from Raipur, Manvir Madhur from Mathura, Deepak Saini from Delhi, Ruchi Chaturvedi from Agra and Parth Naveen from Partapgarh enthralled the audience by their poems.