Jammu’s directorate of tourism, in collaboration with JKTDC, organised the Jammu Kite Festival’s second edition at Tawi River Front Park on August 28. Owing to the enthusiasm that residents of Jammu have for kites, the festival witnessed huge crowds from various parts of Jammu. The event was inaugurated by Dr Raghav Langer, IAS, Divisional Commissioner of Jammu by releasing the string of a kite. Speaking on the occasion he said, “Kite flying has been an integral part of the culture of India. Kites have the ability to drag us out of our homes and go back to childhood for a while. I congratulate Jammu’s directorate of tourism for organising such a festival”
While addressing the media, Vivekanand Rai (IRS), the director of tourism in Jammu, shared, “Kites have been a part of a tradition since ancient time and even today they are flown to celebrate various festivals and sentiments. Ever since we started thinking about organising a kite flying festival in Jammu, we were sure that it would get a great response. I would like to thank the people of Jammu for making our initiative a thorough success and using Indian thread for flying kites”.
A Total of 50 kite enthusiasts participated in the event. The blue sky was dotted with numerous kites of various shapes, colours and sizes which added to everyone’s delight. It is important to note that the participants used only Indian thread for flying kites. It was ensured at the entry gate by the organisers that none of the participants can take Chinese thread inside the venue. Subhang Sethi and Mohit Sharma were declared winners in two categories and each of them won a two nights-three days stay at Patnitop, sponsored by JKTDC and Jammu’s Directorate of Tourism, for a family of four. All the participants were given certificates in the end.
Naresh Kumar, KAS, Deputy Director Tourism (Publicity) expressed, “The purpose of organising this event was to revive the age-old tradition of kite flying and to provide Jammuites an opportunity to witness patangbaazi out in the open. This festival is also a part of Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav Celebrations (75 years of India’s Independence). This event will be made a regular feature in coming years and will be organised in a more grand manner which will help in attracting tourists from all parts of India. “
The Festival was attended by the joint director of tourism, Natasha Kalsotra, KAS, Sukriti Sharma, KAS, GM of JKTDC, Dr Neha Mahajan DDT, planning Jammu, Rahul Mahajan, accounts officer of Jammu’s directorate of tourism, Sheena Sahni, ADT of Jammu and other officers/officials from the tourism department.