Gujarat’s international kite festival draws enthusiasts from world over

AHMEDABAD - Over 90 participants from 37 nations participated in the 21st International Kite Festival being held in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad city.

The first three-days of the much-awaited festival, which began at the Sabarmati Riverfront on Sunday have been reserved for kite-flying competitions.

Kites of all colours, sizes and shapes hung in the sky, including some quirky ones in the shape of animals.

Apart from foreign nationals, local kite-flyers from over ten states also thronged the event.

Axel Kostros, a kite-flyer from Germany, said the vibrancy of the place was infectious, and he was happy to see huge participation from international kite-flyers.

“It is a nice celebration, festival here. And it is very nice to see kite-flyers from around the world here. So it is a kind of a melting point (pot),” said Kostros.

The popular festival spelled magic for the tourism industry in the state, as many visitors from abroad as well as from India gathered at the place.

Kamalesh Patel, the Chairman of the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd., said organising such festivals takes much effort on part of the government to boost tourism.

“This event has been organized to develop the tourism with the event base. So under his initiative, to increase the event-based tourism, we have organised the 21st kite festival here at the Sabarmati Riverfront,” said Patel.

Various pavilions for adventure sports, food and craft bazaars were also put up at the venue.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to award prizes to the participants on Tuesday.

The glittering event would conclude on Friday with different activities forming part of the celebrations on other days. (ANI)