With the onset of February, there’s one thing that never fails to disappoint. The Rose Festival. And this year was no different. With pink, red, yellow, white and orange roses greeting us at the entrance on a backdrop of jute, the blow-up posters of roses displayed on both sides of the tunnel added to informative and aesthetic beauty of the place. Inaugurated by the Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Gen (Retd.) SF Rodrigues, PVSM VSM, day one saw over 200 artists from different states including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana put up there best show. While ten bands from PAP, Punjab Police Academy, Himachal Home Guards, Haryana Police, Chandigarh Police and Home Guards put up a prized performance at the brass and pipe band competition, the winning flower arrangements, rangoli and potted plants sat pretty in a rwo. With camel rides and swings enthralling everyone, here’s what rocked the fest:

Dance a while
Vadai, kalbelia, siddhidhamal, goti pua, barsana holi, giddha, bazigar, gatka and ghoomer, the cultural programme organised by Department of Cultural Affairs Chandigarh was chock-a-block with a variety of folk dances. With UT IG Police SK Jain as the chief guest, the programme was organsied by folk artists from nine different states. Eight different teams of city-based schools and colleges also contested along with students of College of Arts, Sector 10. In the folk dance competition gidda by the students of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10, won the first prize and the Haryanvi dance by students of GMSSS, Sector 46, the second. The Rajasthani dance by GMSSS, Sector 33 received the third position.

Shop on!
Can't imagine a Rose Festival without stalls. Plants, seeds and farming equipment, one could choose from a range of apparel, accessory and jutti stalls. AIDS Control Society was also present there. For the foodies, the Rajasthani Cuisine was the tops. But for those who like quick food, Regal Kitchen rolled options that could be made in two minutes. The Rangeela Pan Centre was very popular among the men.