Gujarat Governor Om Prakash Kohli declared open the International Kite Festival, Patangotsav, on the occasion of Uttarayan, at the Sabarmati Riverfront here today.
The festival is being attended by kiters from 45 countries and 500 from different cities ofGujarat and as many as 13 states.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that Patangotsav spreads the message of worshipping Nature in tandem with man’s endeavor for development, to shake off lethargy of winter and welcome the spring of new energy. It ncourages spirit of healthy competition, to live happily with fellow beings.
Mr. Kohli said that kites and string, wind and the sun are all intertwined encouraging us to fly as high as kite in life. He sent his greetings to the people on the occasion of Uttarayan.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani inaugurated the colourful kite festival in august presence of the Governor.
Speaking on the occasion, he said the international kite festival — taking place with marathon races, shopping festival and Vibrant Gujarat — has over the years become a global brand of Gujarat, taking everybody alongside, ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’, in the march of development. It has also become a source of livelihood for many.
Mr. Rupani said the festival, signifying the northward movement of the Sun from the Makar Rekha Tropic of Capricorn to Equator, has been celebrated since eternity. He sent his greetings to the people and declared it as a festival of social equanimity. The Governor and the Chief Minister released a coffee table book on ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht
Bharat’.
A letter of intent for students study exchange programme was signed between State Institute of Hotel Management and International Institute. Ahmedabad Mayor Bijalben Patel said that most festivals in India are linked to varied
moods of the changing seasons and celebrated from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Nearly 200 students of the Ahmedabad School Board performed Surya Namaskar and other Yoga Asana. Those present on the occasion included Ministers Kaushikbhai Patel, Ishwarsinh Patel, MP Kiritbhai Solanki, MLAs Arvindbhai Patel, Jagdishbhai Panchal, Rakeshbhai Shah, Tourism Corporation Principal Secretary S.J. Haider, Tourism Corporation MD Jenu Devan, Youth Services Commissioner Satish Patel, Collector Vikrant Pandey, DDO A.M. Babu, Envoys of several countries, and a large number of people.
Source: Information Department, Gujarat