Chandigarh Rose Festival Starts from 20th February

Chandigarh, Feb 14 (IANS) Flower exhibits, painting, photography competition and much more - the union territory of Chandigarh is gearing up for the Rose Festival-2009, a three day festival starting Feb 20.

“This year we have plans to organise this annual festival in a big way. During this three-day festival, many cultural and musical activities have been planned for which we have invited celebrated artists from all across the country,” Ram Niwas, home secretary of Chandigarh, told mediapersons here.

The Rose Garden is one of the major tourist destinations here and is thronged by hundreds of tourists - both domestic and foreign - everyday. This is the 37th Rose Festival of Chandigarh.

This time besides the usual flower show where nearly 50 exotic varieties of roses will be exhibited, there will be a photography contest, a painting competition, a fashion show on the theme of roses, a quiz, live concerts and antakshri to entertain the visitors.

Niwas said: “Recently the Rose Garden has also been sanctioned a grant of Rs.26.9 million (Rs.2.69 crore) by the union ministry of tourism for refurbishing the facilities in the garden.”

He added that a huge chunk of this grant will be spent on the illumination of the garden, developing special beds of exotic varieties of roses and in establishing a knowledge centre for children.

“Keeping in mind the cleanliness and beauty of the garden, this year no commercial activity will be allowed inside the garden during the festival. All the stalls like food court, shopping arcade and amusement park will be put up in the adjoining Leisure Valley,” said Niwas.

Talking about the security measures during the festival, Madhur Verma, assistant superintendent of police, said: “Security of the visitors is of utmost importance for us. CCTV cameras will be installed at all the entrance and exit points.”

“Eight police machans (view-towers) will be built for overall view of the garden. We will have two police control rooms inside the garden. Our officials will be there in the public in civil clothes to keep an eye on any anti-social activity,” Verma said.

Red Rose

A single red rose is now usually used to send a message of love. There are also many messages that can be sent through single roses, like.Many feelings can be expressed by flowers, and this non-verbal language is very popular nowadays. Each one of us has sent at least one message to someone with the help of a flower. Sometimes whole conversations between two lovers are spoken through flowers. The most meaningful flower of all is considered to be the red rose.

A single white rose is used by someone that wants to say 'I'm sorry' to his/her significant other. It also has some other meanings. Since medieval times white roses are considered to be a symbol of light, purity and innocence, so sending a single white rose may also mean that you consider that person to be pure, or that your love is very pure.

A single yellow rose expresses happiness and love. Sending a single yellow rose to your half means that you are happy with your love and relationship. But be careful because single white roses have two meanings! They can also express jealousy, so sending someone one can mean that you are jealous. The best thing to do is to attach a note to the rose, explaining exactly what you mean.

A single peach rose is used to send a message of friendship to a best friend or even to a lover.

A single purple rose expresses beauty. So if you want to tell someone he/she is beautiful send him/her a single purple rose.

A single pink rose is an elegant way of thanking someone because this is what pink roses transmit: gratitude.

Finally, a single black rose says 'it is over'. This is a way of ending a relationship - sending a single black rose together with a note.

But, as mentioned before, the single red rose is considered to be the most beautiful and romantic. Even from the ancient roman times lovers give each other red roses. In those times, roses were the symbol of the roman goddess Venus, the goddess of love, so ever since then a single red rose clearly states 'I love you'.

Also the red rose petals are used to symbolize love, and to create a romantic atmosphere. They can be left to float in the bath tub, or simply spread throughout the house or near the fireplace. If your lover is away you can add some rose petals to your letters.

Red roses have been a continuos source of inspiration for artists everywhere and thousands of paintings and poems have been written inspired by roses or by a single red rose. It has been said that a single red rose speaks volumes, so choose the fines rose and send it to someone you love now.