International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad from Jan 11-14

Ahmedabad, Jan 10: The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat will organise the International Kite Festival here at Police Stadium from January 11 to 14 to mark 'Uttarayan' or 'Makar Sankranti', celebrated as the kite-flying day in Gujarat, official sources said today.

Tourism Minister Jaynarayan Vyas told mediapersons today that 69 kite fliers from 24 countries and 145 kite lovers from across the country will take part in the festival. Expert kite makers from all over the world are expected to be a part of the festival. The festival will include a kite competition of foreign kitists, a miniature kite competition and a traditional kite cutting competition.

The countries taking part in the festival include France, Netherlands, Denmark, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Africa and Turkey.

According to Mr Vyas, the Festival is divided into four categories and will be held during the morning hours.

The International Kite Festival will be formally inaugurated on January 11 at 1700 hrs with the opening of 'Gujarat in Africa' pavilion by Chief Minster Narendra Modi. The pavilion will depict the Gujarati people's struggle and achievements in Africa. Food courts and an adventure sports pavilion set up by the Sports Authority of Gujarat will also be launched on the same day.

On January 12, a cultural programme- 'Vishva Gujarati Parivar Mahotsav' termed as 'Eternal Gujarat' will be organised in which Gujarat Governor Naval Kishore Sharma and the Chief Minister will remain present.

To showcase the traditional kite flying skills, a heritage walk with the foreign participants will be organised on January 14 from Swaminarayan temple at Kalupur to Lal Darwaja area of the city.

On January 15, the kite lovers will travel to Rajkot and Surat to have a feel of the festivity there.

UNI