Petlad kite festival to be held tomorrow

Anand, Jan 12 (UNI) Petlad kite festival, in which 56 contestants from 19 countries are participating will begun here from tomorrow.

The event will be held at Petlad College campus ('Chitrakoot Dham') from morning onwards.

The countries that are participating are China (2 teams), Singapore (2), Malaysia (2), France (5), Netherlands (7), S Korea (2), Sri Lanka (3), Cambodia (3), UK (4), Finland (2), Denmark (2), Turkey (2), Indonesia (4), Germany (3), Italy (4), Australia (1), Lebanon (2), Spain (1) and Thailand (4).

From within the country, Maharashtra is sending eleven teams; Delhi - three, Rajasthan - five, Karnataka - four, Andhra Pradesh - one and Gujarat - 37.

Khambhat, 50 km from here, has the largest kite-makers in the country. Here kites from two inches to 12 feet are made at a price from 50 paise to Rs 2,000.

The kites depict famous films like Munnabhai, Bhagam Bhag, Don, Dhoom etc.

In Khambhat one can find 'firkis' that are made of 'vas' wood, which can hold 50,000 metres of thread costing Rs 2,500.

Over 12,000 workers are involved in kite-making with a turnover estimated at Rs ten crore.

When the nation celebrates January 14 as kite-flying day, the Khambhat workers too join. However, observing rest on 15th they then make a beeline on January 21 to the sea-shore where a gala kite-flying takes place.

UNI