Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel said on the occasion of the inauguration of the International Kite Festival 2023 that the tradition of the Kite Festival started by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has become a global identity today.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the kite of development of Gujarat has been crossing new heights for two consecutive decades. He further said that the Kite Festival is an opportunity to touch the sky and reach new heights. Kite is a symbol of progress, progress, and flight and Gujarat’s festivals like the Kite Festival have become international attractions, he added.
Talking about the International Kite Festival 2023, the Chief Minister said that this year we are celebrating the Kite Festival with the theme of G-20 – ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India is hosting the meetings of G-20 countries for the first time. Due to the way the Prime Minister has made India’s image strong and bright on global platforms, such global conventions have started being held in India. Not only that, but Gujarat also got the opportunity to host 15 meetings of G-20, it is a matter of pride for our Gujarat.
Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel said that under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, we have seen large-scale changes in India from the digital economy to the defense sector. India has become the fifth-largest economy in the world and is also growing at the highest rate. He further said that it is our resolve to take the development of India to greater heights in this Azadi ka Amrit Kaal and build a developed nation. He also expressed confidence that Gujarat is fully equipped under the leadership of the Prime Minister to realize it. We have given special emphasis on topics like tourism and employment to keep the journey of the development of Gujarat uninterrupted. Today’s kite festival is an example of that, added Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel.
Regarding the kite industry of Gujarat, the Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister has given a new tradition of celebrating our traditional festivals as Lokotsav with public participation. As a result of this, two decades ago the trade of kites in Gujarat was only 8 to 10 crore rupees, now Gujarat alone has 40 percent of the kite industry of the country. The annual turnover is Rs 625 crore and about 1 lakh 30 thousand people are employed in the kite industry, he further added.
While giving a welcome speech at the International Kite Festival, Tourism Minister Shri Mulu Bera said that on January 14, Makar Sankranti is the great day, Uttarayan is enjoyed by young and old together.
He further said that as Sun transits towards the northern half, we celebrate by flying kites in the sky, there is a message of preservation of nature in Uttarayan celebration. The sky becomes clear in Uttarayan. This speeds up the communication between God and man. He said that the tourism department has tried to give a unique identity to our culture and civilization by giving Uttarayan a prominent place in its calendar. Shri Mulu Bera further said that the kite festival is also an integral part of the widespread appreciation of the development of the state in the last 2 decades.
Kite enthusiasts from abroad participate in the Kite Festival. Kite festival is organized at various places including Ahmedabad. Kite festival-2023 has been organized in Ahmedabad including Vadodara, Vadnagar, Somnath, Rajkot, Dholera, and Dhordo. International Kite Festival has increased the number of foreign tourists. By celebrating such festivals, the economy of the state is boosted and employment opportunities are also increased. Different colors fill the sky on the festival of Uttarayan, symbolizing the colors of unity and joy in religious diversity.
A total of 125 kite flyers from 68 countries, 65 kite flyers from 14 states, and more than 660 kite flyers from various districts of Gujarat have participated in the Kite Festival organized at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. He further added that it is necessary for other states to learn from the celebration of the International Kite Festival and preserve the culture and nature.
Mayor of Ahmedabad Shri Kirit Parmar, Secretary Tourism Shri Harit Shukla, Commissioner of Tourism Department Shri Alok Kumar Pandey, Collector of Ahmedabad Shri Anil Dhamelia, invited guests from home and abroad, kite flyers, diplomatic representatives, local MLAs, AMC office bearers, corporators, and other dignitaries were present in this festival.
List of countries participating in the festival:
Australia, Canada, France, Russia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Egypt, Colombia, Denmark, New Zealand, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, Belgium, Bahrain, Iraq, Malaysia, Poland, Mauritius, Portugal, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Jordan, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Belarus, besides 68 countries, kite flyers from 14 states of India have participated in this international kite festival.
Source: Information Department, Gujarat
