Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the International Kite Festival 2025 by flying a tricolor balloon in the sky from Ahmedabad.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Patel stated that every year, ambassadors from around the world visit Gujarat to witness this kite festival. This year, ambassadors from 11 countries have come to Gujarat. Food stall and craft stall vendors earn lakhs of rupees during the festival. Moreover, over five and a half lakh people attended the International Kite Festival last year. Gujarat has gained global recognition as the state that manufactures the most kites. Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Khambhat, and Surat have become hubs for kite production. Today, Gujarat holds a 65 percent share of the country’s kite market. Kites are also exported annually from Gujarat to countries like the USA, UK, and Canada, he added.
Providing further details about the International Kite Festival 2025, the Minister of Tourism announced that the Gujarat Tourism Corporation is organizing the festival from January 11 to January 14 this year. Additionally, the festival will be held on January 12, 2025, at the Statue of Unity (Ekta Nagar), Rajkot, and Vadodara, and on January 13 at Surat, Shivrajpur, and Dhordo.
He further shared that 143 kite flyers from 47 countries and 52 kite flyers from 11 other states in India are participating in this year’s festival. Additionally, 417 kite flyers from 11 cities in Gujarat are also taking part.
Aditya Stuti Vandana was performed by Rishi Kumar during the event. The Chief Minister and other dignitaries greeted the parade of kite flyers from various countries and states. A cultural program was also organized to mark the occasion of Uttarayan Parva.
It is noteworthy that the International Kite Festival 2025 will feature participants from countries such as Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.