City welcomes spring with roses

CHANDIGARH: It was all fun and gaiety at Rose Garden on the first day of Rose Festival. A large number of people, from all age groups, thronged the venue to witness the beautiful display of flowers and decorations. Where many came to participate in several competitions, others chilled around with families praising the participants.
The star attractions are the millions of roses themselves, but there was a host of activities, including competitions and cultural shows.The highlight of the festival was the floral hat contest, which was introduced for the first time in the festival. And it indeed was a pleasing sight as beautiful flowers could be seen everywhere, reported onlookers. The entire Rose Garden was decorated with beautiful flowers and foliage.
"The Rose Festival is an important event of the city and we make it a point to visit it every year. We love the cheerful ambience of the festival with young and old enjoying together. It was also interesting to watch the competitions, especially the ones where children participated with great enthusiasm." said Kulbeer Kaur, a resident of Sector 27.
"My friends told me about the festival and the flower arrangements exhibited here. I thought of giving it a visit and I'm glad I came. This festival sure is a grand way to welcome spring," said Ritika Azad, a resident of Sector 45, Chandigarh. The festival also attracts people from other countries. Foreigners were seen having a good time while admiring the festivity. People were also spotted clicking pictures of the decorations and flower arrangements. "I have come here for the first time and I really loved the place and the exhibition. I would love to come back again," said Diksha Rajput, a resident of Shimla.