IEP Chandigarh, February 17
The much awaited 51st Rose Festival started here at Rose Garden amid pump and show. The three days festival has been formally inaugurated by Sh. Banwarilal Purohit, Governor, Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh in the presence of Smt. Kirron Kher, Member Parliament and Sh. Anup Gupta, Mayor, Chandigarh.
Smt. Raakhi Gupta Bhandari, IAS, Principal Secretary to Governor, Sh. Nitin Kumar Yadav, IAS, Secretary Local Govt., Sh. Vijay Namdeorao Zade, IAS, Finance Secretary, Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS, Commissioner, MC Chandigarh, Sh. Kanwarjeet Singh, Senior Deputy Mayor, Sh. Saurabh Joshi, area councilor, other councilors, prominent persons of the city and officers of Chandigarh Administration and Municipal Corporation were present during the inaugural ceremony.
While 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 here with the arrangements and different showcase of flowers and cultural items for all age groups would be organized.
He said although all flowers have a unique character and beauty, but rose is 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 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. I am happy that the citizens can take joy in this year’s Rose Festival and a variety of engaging events and the Light and Sound show that is being organized by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation in the very first time in history.
The Governor also remembered Dr. M.S. Randhawa who conceptualized the Chandigarh Rose Festival and the third President of India, Dr. Zakir Hussain, after whom this rose garden has been named. He said both of them were keen horticulturists.
While addressing the gathering, Smt. Kirron Kher, Member Parliament said that people from all walks of life can enjoy here with the provisions and competitions of all age groups which would be organized in all three days such as Rose Prince & Princess, Mr. Rose & Miss. Rose and Rose King and Rose Queen for senior citizens. She also appreciated the MCC for organizing beautiful Light & Sound Show this time.
She further said it is a matter of great satisfaction to see the tremendous interest and enthusiasm has been shown by the different sections of society through their active participation in the Rose festival. With the concern of people towards conserving nature and natural resources increasing year after year, it is sure that the coming years will see more colorful flower shows in the city and greater participation and innovation in displaying the exhibits.
While welcoming the Chief Guest and other guests, Mr. Anup Gupta, Mayor said that to make the festival live new cultural activities have been arranged during three days event inside Rose Garden to cater all the visitors over there.
He said 831 varieties of roses in the garden and different hues decorating the landscape, breathtaking floral displays, innovative new designs and exotic exhibits are the high points of this flower show. While Brass and Pipe band competition, photography exhibition, Bollywood (Junior) artists show, cultural evening and mainly the Light and Sound show are the added charms to the show.
The Mayor said that this time the Corporation has given space for the food court, which was the utmost requirement of the general public and visitors to the Rose Festival as to serve them water and food at the garden itself. He said that proper arrangements of sanitation have been made during the three days Rose Festival. Display stalls to showcase the talent of beneficiaries of different schemes of DAY-NULM component, exhibits have been arranged for various Self Help Groups this time.
The Mayor said that this time the MCC has arranged this festival as Zero Waste event and displayed all the varieties of Roses through LED screens inside the park. Keeping in view the mass awareness, the MCC has showcased various displays of Swachh Bharat Mission besides launching ‘Swachhata Ke Puzzles” small jigsaw puzzles pictures on various themes i.e. Segregation of Waste, four type of wastes, no littering in public place and say no to plastic products.
Sh. Saurabh Joshi, area councilor thanked the Chief Guest and all the guests during the inaugural programme. He said that this is the Mega Show organized by Municipal Corporation for the citizens of Chandigarh to enjoy flower arrangements amid the cultural beats is really appreciable.
Earlier, the Chief Guest inaugurated the Selfie booth and Swachhata Stall at the Garden, where display of various schemes under Swachh Survekshan-2023 has been arranged including Segregation of Waste at source level, Say no to Plastic and onsite composting from kitchen waste etc.
