India Gate comes alive with colourful kites

The lawns of India Gate became a battle field as hundreds of kite flying enthusiasts thronged the venue to participate in the Capital’s first Kite Flying Festival on Saturday.

The lawns of India Gate became a battle field as hundreds of kite flying enthusiasts thronged the venue to participate in the Capital’s first Kite Flying Festival on Saturday.

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Organised by Delhi Tourism in association with Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation, the two-day-long festival was inaugurated by the chief minister Sheila Dikshit. “This is the first time we have organised a kite flying competition at such a big level. Next year, it will be bigger,” said Dikshit.

Next year, the government plans to organise the festival at an international level. “Kite flying is popular among people of all age groups. We have also organised cultural programmes to enthrall the visitors,” said GG Saxena, managing director, Delhi Tourism.

Around 32 teams from different states are participating in the event. Pavilions have also been set up to exhibit various kinds of kites. Special arrangements have been made for kite flying at night. “We have special kites with lamps attached to them, which we’ll fly at night,” said Gautam, who is a member of a kite flying club from old Delhi.

The organisers expect a footfall of 10,000 during the two-day event.