Div Com inaugurates two day Garden Festival

Divisional Commissioner inaugurating Garden Festival.
Divisional Commissioner inaugurating Garden Festival.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 11: Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, in collaboration with Department of Floriculture, is organizing a two day “Garden Festival” at Bagh-e-Bhour.
The festival was inaugurated by Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu in presence of M. Raju, Commissioner Secretary, Jal Shakti, Vivekanand Rai, Director Tourism, Jammu, Abhishek Sharma, Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission, Urban and Jatinder Singh, Director, Floriculture, Jammu.
Addressing the gathering, the Divisional Commissioner, said that the two-day Garden Festival is first of its kind to celebrate nature by welcoming the onset of the spring season. He added that with the decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases, the festivities have returned to Jammu City with tourists/locals enjoying the 2 day Garden Festivities. He stated that the Tourism Department has organized a variety of competitions/events to lure in tourists/locals.
Director Tourism, Jammu, Vivekanand Rai, stated that to make the festival lively, new cultural activities have been arranged during the two-day Festival to cater to the intending tourists. Later, the Chief Guest inaugurated “Selfie Point” and “I love Green” signature Board.
As the evening progressed, renowned Singer and Composer Suraj Singh performed along with Juhi, a very talented Singer which enthralls the tourists/locals.
Besides, a magic show has also been organized at the venue by Samrat Shankar Jadugar. The Magic Wand, Magic Words and Distinctive Style of magic tricks performed by the artist kept the audience spellbound.
Further, as part of the Festival, Painting Competition, Rangoli Competition and Garden Prince/Prince Competition was held. The winners of the Painting competition were Abhinandan Sharma (1st Prize), Bhanu Uday Dutt (2nd Prize) and Arnavi Sharma (3rd Prize) while other participants received consolation prizes.
In the Rangoli Competition, Team (B) comprising Jagmeet, Sunandinin, Shifali secured 1st Prize, Team (C) comprising Anup, Abhinandan, Shruti 2nd Prize and Arnavi secured 3rd Prize. Baby Vani Singh Slathia was crowned as Garden Princess and Master Arnab Singh Slathia as Garden Prince. The Festivities will continue tomorrow also.
Natasha Kalsotra, Joint Director Tourism, Jammu, Sukriti Sambyal, General Manager JKTDC, Naresh Kumar, Deputy Director Tourism, Publicity, Jammu, Rahul Mahajan, Accounts Officer and Sheen Sahni, ADT, Publicity were also present during the course of event.