STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The skies of Jammu were coloured with Kites soaring in the sky as the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu on Thursday organized Kite Festival 3rd Edition here on the Tawi River Front Park.
It was a colorful jamboree wherein friends and family regaled under clear blue skies and enjoyed a fun filled morning.
Owing to the enthusiasm Jammuites have for kites, the festival organized a day prior to Janamashtami, witnessed a huge crowd of people coming from different parts of the city. The event was inaugurated by Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu by releasing the string of a kite.
Speaking on the occasion, he 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. I congratulate Directorate of Tourism, Jammu for organizing such a sprightly festival”
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”.
Live commentary of snapping of kites enhanced the excitement with the crowd of spectators reverberating with “Chal Gayi Aaa”.
As many as 100 Kite enthusiasts participated in the event. The blue sky was dotted with numerous kites of different shapes, colour and sizes, which added to everyone’s delight.
It is pertinent to mention here 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 bagged the second prize(Rs 2100) and third prize of (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 colored kites covering the skies as paper and string soar and gravity to consort with the clouds. The Kites festival has surely spread an aura of joy, colours, and thrill with its positive vibes.
The Festival was attended by Amarjyoti Raina, Deputy Director Tourism; Dr. Neha Mahajan, DDT, Planning Jammu and other officers/officials of Tourism Department.
Also present were prominent citizens of the area and representatives of the travel trade fraternity. Besides 92.7 Big FM was the event partner for the kite festival.