The second day of the 43rd Rose Festival garnered a resounding response from tricity residents and tourists. Events held on Saturday included kite flying and puppet show besides engaging contests such as rose prince, princess, king and queen.
Though most of the contests were well received, the rose king and rose queen competitions stole the show.
People, irrespective of their age, walked down the ramp with panache amid a cheering audience for the best couple contest. Ashok Khurana and Sangeeta were adjudged the best couple.
Ram Kanodia and his wife Neelam , who won the runners-up title, had come for a random visit but decided to participate almost on a whim.
{{/usCountry}}Ram Kanodia and his wife Neelam , who won the runners-up title, had come for a random visit but decided to participate almost on a whim.
{{/usCountry}}Budding talentAs many as 260 children participated in the rose prince and princess competitions. One-and-half-year-old Avishi was one of the many who wanted to be the rose princess. Her mother Ruchi Garg, a teacher, said, “We had a wonderful time. But since the kids are small, they get a little fussy at the key moment.” Zirakpur-based Sandeep Kaur’s son participated in the rose prince contest. “It’s our first time and we really enjoyed coming to the fest,” she said.However, Taniya Dhiman, the mother of a two-year-old, did not find anything new or special about the fest this year.
Sun and shineWhile most students took part in kite flying, the puppet show attracted children in large numbers. Belgian tourist Yobene Fontuyne, for instance, found the fest “very beautiful”. “I loved being here and soaked in all the fun,” she said. In spite of being managed by traffic officials, the parking arrangement for the event was not up to the mark, inconveniencing many visitors.
And here’s a tip, avoid taking your car too near the venue in case you plan to visit Rose Garden on Sunday.
Winsome winners
Rose Princess:Category A (Age: 1-1.5 yrs)First: Khwahish KharbandaRunner up: Manmeet KaurCategory B (Age: 1.5-2 yrs)First: Girisha GandhiRunner up: Devashi SharmaCategory C (Age: 2-3 yrs)First: Ahana SinghRunner up: Ashini SinghRose Prince:Category A (Age: 1-1.5 yrs)First: Pukhraj BabbarRunner up: Shaurya PunCategory B (Age: 1.5-2 yrs)First: Karanvir DhimanRunner up: Aks KumarCategory C (Age: 2-3 yrs)First: Ayan SampeleRunner up: Mahir SinghRose King:First: Col Vidosh Kumar SabharwalRunner up: Col HS GillRose Queen:First: Madhu SharmaRunner up: Usha SharmaBest couple:First: Ashok Khurana and Sangeeta KhuranaRunner up: Ram Kanodia and Neelam KanodiaPhotography Competition:
Professional category:First: Nitin MittalSecond: Vicky GharuThird: Deepak Arora
Amateur category:First: Rajesh KhuranaSecond: Prabhjot SinghThird: Kaifki Khurana