Ahmedabad, January 11: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the four-day International Kite Festival on Saturday, attracting 143 participants from 47 countries.
During the event, the chief minister highlighted that Gujarat accounts for 65% of the nation’s kite market, with exports reaching the US, UK, and Canada.
The ‘International Kite Festival 2025’ is taking place at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad from January 11 to January 14. In addition to Ahmedabad, celebrations will also occur at the Statue of Unity (Ekta Nagar), Rajkot, and Vadodara on January 12, followed by Surat, Shivrajpur, and Dhordo on January 13.
State Tourism Minister Mulu Bera announced that this year features 143 international kite flyers from 47 different countries alongside 52 domestic flyers from 11 Indian states.
Patel noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his time as chief minister, brought modern tourism elements to the festival, giving it a global identity.
The chief minister kicked off the festivities by releasing a tricolored balloon into the sky, mentioning the presence of ambassadors from 11 countries attending this year.
He added that PM Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative has been energized by the influx of tourists to the event.
“Local vendors earning thousands of rupees from food and craft stalls at the festival is a noteworthy aspect. Over 550,000 people attended the International Kite Festival last year,” Patel remarked.
He emphasized that Gujarat is globally recognized for its substantial kite production, as locals have a deep love for kites, making cities like Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Khambhat, and Surat major manufacturing hubs.
“Currently, Gujarat holds a 65% share of the national kite market, with kites exported each year to countries such as the US, UK, and Canada,” Patel stated. He concluded by expressing hope that Gujarat’s progress in kite manufacturing would contribute to realizing PM Modi’s vision of making India a developed nation by 2047. (PTI)
