Modi inaugurated the 22nd International Kite Festival in the presence of the Governor on the Sabarmati riverbank in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
Gujarat governor Dr Kamla praised chief minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday for his efforts to make the kite festival popular, and for his personal interest that had made the international kite festival “spectacular and impressive”. Modi inaugurated the 22nd International Kite Festival in the presence of the Governor on the Sabarmati riverbank in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
“Makar Sankranti has a unique place in Gujarat’s tradition, particularly for Ahmedabad city. The festival, in social terms, has become a symbol of unity and brotherhood,” she said.
“The programme has been grand and spectacular. People have applauded it. For the awareness it has generated and the environment it has created, the efforts of the chief minister and his colleagues need to be appreciated,” Dr Kamla said in her address.
“I would like to wish all the people of Gujarat a happy Makar Samkranti, and especially the chief minister, who takes personal interest in all these programmes and, because of which, they become so spectacular and impressive,” she added.
“Kite festivals are organised in 24 countries. Ahmedabad’s festival is among the top five festivals in the same league as festivals held in countries like Japan, US, China and Indonesia,” Dr Kamla said.
The event formally began only at 9:30 am as the chief minister was delayed in reaching the venue. Around 300 kite-flyers from 9 states of the country and 24 nations are participating in this year’s festival.
Modi spoke about the social significance of the festival which marks the transit of the Sun into the zodiacal sign, Makar (Capricorn). Hence, the festival is celebrated as Makar Samkranti or Uttarayan, he said.
Talking about the significance of Sun worship in Indian culture, he linked it to Gujarat’s efforts to tap the sun as a source of energy. “Gujarat is moving towards becoming a global hub for generation of solar energy,” he said.
Modi also appreciated the efforts of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s school board to encourage slum-children to perform yoga and group dance at the event.
In his speech at the inauguration, state tourism minister Jay Narayan Vyas said that Gujarat’s kite festival had been recognised as an international event.
“The festival has given a fillip to the kite-making industry which is a source of livelihood for the poorer sections of society. Today around 60,000 people in Gujarat earn a livelihood by making kites; out this, nearly 30,000 are in the Ahmedabad city alone,” Vyas said.
He said the turnover of the kite-making industry was estimated at Rs100 crore in 2007. “It has now reached Rs 175 crore in 2011. Today, kites made in Gujarat are being sold in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra,” he said.
Tourism Minister of Chhattisgarh, Amar Agrawal, was also present at the function.
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