Directorate of Tourism organizes 3rd edition of Kite Festival

Participants of Kite Festival and officers posing for group photograph.
Participants of Kite Festival and officers posing for group photograph.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 18: Directorate of Tourism organized 3rd edition of Kite Festival at Tawi River front park. It was a colourful jamboree wherein friends and family regaled under clear blue skies and enjoyed a fun filled morning.
Owing to the enthusiasm the Jammuites have for kites, the festival organized a day prior to Janamashtami witnessed huge crowd from various parts of Jammu.
The event was inaugurated by Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu by releasing the string of a kite.
Speaking on the occasion, Divisional Commissioner said, “Kite flying has been an integral part of our culture. Kites have the ability to drag us out of our homes and go back to childhood for a while”.
While addressing the media, Vivekanand Rai, Director Tourism Jammu, said “Kites have been a part of our tradition since ancient times and even today they are flown to celebrate various festivals and sentiments. There is nothing more enjoyable than flying a kite. I would like to thank the people of Jammu for making our initiative a thorough success and using Indian Thread for Flying Kites”. Living commentary of snapping of kites enhanced the excitement with crowd of spectators reverberating with “Chal Gayi Aaa”.
A total of 100 number of kite enthusiasts participated in the event. The blue sky was dotted with numerous kites of various shapes, colour and sizes which added to everyone’s delight. Pertinent to mention here is that the participants used only Indian Thread for flying Kites. It was ensured at the entry gate, by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu that none of the participants take Chinese thread inside the venue.
Arjun Singh secured first prize of Rs 3100, while Mohit Verma and Anil Kumar got second prize (Rs 2100) and third prize (Rs 1100) respectively. All the participants were given certificates in the end.
Sunaina Sharma, Joint Director Tourism said, “The purpose of organizing this event was to give Jammuites an exhilarating experience of Kite Flying with enthralling music and delightful feast. The event is not only a competition but a memory of one’s childhood and a medium to connect to our roots.
While speaking to the media, Abdul Jabbar said that it was a joyous sight of gaily coloured kites covering the skies as paper and string soar and gravity to consort with the clouds.
The festival was attended by Amarjyoti Raina, Deputy Director Tourism, Dr Neha Mahajan DDT, Planning Jammu and other officers and officials of Tourism Department. Also present were prominent citizens of the area and representatives of travel trade fraternity. Besides 92.7 Big FM was the event partner for the kite festival.