NewZNew (Chandigarh) : The Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh is Celebrating 43^rd Rose Festival from 20^th February to 22^nd February 2015 in the Rose Garden, Sector 16, Chandigarh.

While addressing a press conference, Mrs. Poonam Sharma, Mayor of Chandigarh said that the festival will be inaugurated on 20^th February, 2015 in the Rose Garden, Sector 16, Chandigarh at 11.00 a.m. by Sh. Vijay Dev, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, UT, Chandigarh.

Others who were present during the press conference were include Sh. V.P. Singh, IAS, Commissioner, MC, Ms. Kavita Singh, IAS, MD, CITCO, Sh. Sunil Bhatia, Additional Commissioner, Sh. Rajiv Gupta, Joint Commissioner, Sh. Mukesh Anand, Chief Engineer, MC, Chandigarh.

Sh. V.P. Singh, Commissioner informed that during this festival around 829 varieties of Roses including hybrid teas, floribunda, polyanthus, miniatures and climbers will be displayed.

The theme of the Rose Festival this time is “National Integration”.

Folk dance teams from different states, arranged by the North Zone Cultural Centre will participate during the Rose Festival on 20^th February to 22^nd February 2015 from 10 am to 4 pm daily including:-

20^th February 2015 at 11.25 a.m.

1. Liharoba by artists from Manipur (N.E.)
2. Sidhi Dhamal by artists from Gujrat

21^st February 2015 at 10.35 a.m.

1. Bihu by artists from Assam
2. Behropia by artists from Rajasthan

     11.20 a.m.

1. Lavani by artists from Maharashtra

22^nd February 2015 at 10.40 a.m.

1. Folk Dance by artists from Leh Ladhakh (J&K)
2. Nagada & Been Jogi by artists from Haryana

And many more folk dances of various states will be performed during the three day Rose Festival.

This year the Municipal Corporation has also planned three cultural evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm in the main stage at Rose Garden, Sector 16, Chandigarh daily. These are including:

1. Hasya Kavi Sammelan on 20^th February 2015 from 5 pm to 7 pm

By Sardar Manjit Singh, Arun Jemini, Suryakant Pandey, Ras Bihari Gaur, Padam Albela

2. Musical Evening on 21^st February 2015 from 5 pm to 7 pm

By Dr. Mamta Joshi (Renowned Sufi Singer)

3. Musical Evening on 22^nd February 2015 from 5 pm to 7 pm

By Eminent artists from region including Miss. Tripat Kaur, (renowned Punjabi singer), Param Chandel, Mahesh Sharma, Tarun, Nishant, Miss. Sharan Kaur, Rajan, Gurkanwal etc. Sh. Suresh Nayak (on Music)

A special feature of Rose Festival this time will be a Classical Musical performance by musical group of “Divine Eyes” Artists from National Association for the Blind, Chandigarh on 21^st February, 2015 at 3.30 pm. The artists will be including Prof. Murlidhar Sony, Kumar Shibu and others.

Dr. Gopal Krishan Shah, Professor of University of Delhi will enthrall the audience by Sitar Vadan on 20^th February at 12.00 p.m.

Other than that Puppet Show and Magic Show will also be organized during the three days.

The festival will also showcase a wide array of flowers by way of flower competitions in different categories.

Competition of Neighbourhood parks maintained by Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) from city has also been included this year.

Programme Schedule of 43^rd Rose Festival 2015

20^th February 2015

11.00 am Inauguration of Rose Festival by Chief Guest

11.10 am Brass & Pipe Band Competition

11.20 am Flower Competition & Flower Hat Competition

11.25 am Cultural Programme at main stage by NZCC

12.30 pm Folk Dance Competition

3.30 pm Preliminary round of Miss & Mr Rose competition

5.00 pm Hasya Kavi Sammelan

21^st February 2015

9.00 am Rose Prince & Princess Competition

10.20 am Photography Competition

10.35 am Traditional Folk dance of various states

11.00 am Kite Flying Competition

11.20 am Traditional Folk Dance of various states

11.30 am Rose King & Rose Queen (Senior Citizen)

2.00 pm Roze Quiz

3.30 pm Programme by the Students of Blinds Society, Chandigarh

5.00 pm Musical Evening by renowned Sufi Singer Dr. Mamta Joshi

22^nd February 2015

10.30 am On the Spot Painting Competition

10.40 am Traditional Folk Dance of various states

11.00 am Magic Show

11.30 am Antakshri

3.30 pm Closing Ceremony & Prize Distribution

5.00 pm Musical Evening (Old is Gold).

In addition to that the Tourism department, UT, Chandigarh has scheduled a number of activities at leisure valley, Sector 10, Chandigarh which includes a musical extravaganza for the entertainment of the visitors. The events enclude a fashion pageant & entertainment show on 20^th Feb, bollywood musical nite featuring eminent celebrity “Babul Supriyo”and a Punjabi Musical nite presenting noted Punjabi singer & performer “Sherry Maan”.

Apart from this there will be folk dances, cultural activities, fun & frolic. Amusement park and joy rides to keep the visitors entertained throughout the day.