SPEECH OF HONOURABLE GOVERNOR AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF 50th ROSE FESTIVAL AT CHANDIGARH ON 25.02.2022

It gives me great pleasure to be here today at the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden for the 50th Chandigarh Rose Festival.

The very fact that this Festival has been held for five decades shows that for people of Chandigarh Rose Festival is a “major cultural event” and an integral part of the cultural calendar of the city.

I have been told that this unique flower show is being organized since 1967 and enjoys national and international recognition for its antiquity and stature.

I feel delighted to be amidst the blooming flowers. It is a feast for the eyes!

As we all know, located in the foothills of Shivalik, Chandigarh, the City Beautiful is rightly known as the ‘city of gardens’ owing to its numerous parks and gorgeous green gardens. From the world famous Rock Garden to Asia’s largest Rose garden and from a themed Japanese Garden to others like Terraced Garden, Chandigarh truly has some amazing gardens. Spread over an area of 40 acres, the Rose Garden, I believe is one of the most frequented gardens of the city for both the domestic as well as foreign visitors.

Friends,

Fondness for flowers is not a new found craze. Flowers have always enjoyed a special place in the human hearts since times immemorial. This beautiful gift of nature has oft been used to express appreciation, friendship, loyalty, gratitude, happiness and affection. From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, from worshiping to wedding, flowers adorn every important occasion.

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.

Those of us, as humans, wish to learn from flowers can of course learn the lesson of livening up our surroundings with our simplicity and innate natural beauty; and learn to spread fragrance of bliss to all, without any discrimination.

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

Hundreds of varieties of roses in different hues decorating the landscape, breathtaking floral displays, innovative new designs and exotic exhibits are the high points of this flower show….while Rangoli competition, Brass and Pipe band competition, floral hat display, photography exhibition and cultural evening are the added charms to the show.

Friends,

I guess what makes the 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, I am happy that the citizens can take joy in this year’s Rose Festival and a variety of engaging events being organized by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.

It is a matter of great satisfaction for me to see the tremendous interest and enthusiasm has been shown in participation in the Rose festival. With the concern of people towards conserving nature and natural resources increasing year after year, I am sure that the coming years will see more colorful flower shows in the city and greater participation and innovation in displaying the exhibits.

Let us continue to propagate rose culture in the city and develop more varieties of roses. Through active partnership of the rose lovers and expertise, experience and knowledge of landscaping experts lets continue to make the city cleaner & greener.

Let us also take this opportunity to remember 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. Both of them were keen horticulturists!

I extend my best wishes and greetings to the Municipal Corporation in specific and the UT Administration in general who have organized the flower show with great care and attention. May fortune shine on the ‘City Beautiful’ in abundant measure and may prosperity bless all our homes in its entire blissful entirety.

Thank you

Jai Hind!