Punjab News Express
HYDERABAD: Kite Flying is a popular festival in India. Kite-flying is a favourite amusement in many countries and India too. Usually, Kites fly with strings. But, Kite 2017, Telangana State's 2nd International Kite Festival to be held from January 12 to 17th in Hyderabad is going to introduce "Remote controlled kites" which will be flown for the first time in India.
Traditionally kites are flown with strings. But, remote controlled flying of kites is something revolutionary which is not witnessed much in India. The joy of remote control kite flying offers altogether a new experience first time to Indians disclosed Dr. Geoffrey Fisher, Head of the Aga Khan Academy. These kites will be flown at a special night flying curtain raiser event at People’s Plaza in Hyderabad on Thursday 12th January, he said.
“This is something revolutionary—the joy of remote controlled kite flying offers a new experience altogether for Indians, as they are not dependent on wind but instead use propellers powered by rechargeable batteries” , Dr. Geoffrey Fisher disclosed.
KITE 2017 festival is organized for the cause of women's empowerment through girl child education. It aims to raise the tourism profile and rich cultural heritage of Hyderabad as a ‘hidden jewel' of India by attracting renowned international kite flyers from 16 countries and 10 pan Indian clubs to Telangana State.
Telangana Tourism and Incredible India have joined hands with Hyderabad-based Aga Khan Academy to host this event at sprawling 100 acres campus of Aga Khan Academy which is situated near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in city outskirts near Shamshabad.
Royal Kite Flyers Club, India's leading international kite flying group. It is a Non Profit Kite Flying Association of India by Kite Flying Clubs and Professional Kite Flyers in India is guiding the event. It has been providing Kite Flying Activities for Individual, Corporate and Educational Institutes, participated in events at Malaysia, Indonesia, Dubai, and Singapore.
International teams from 17 countries and ten pan-Indian kite flying clubs to provide electrifying demonstrations throughout the week. As a prelude to the festival, kite flying displays will take place at select locations around the city on Thursday 12 January.
PV Sindhu, Telangana state icon, first Indian woman to win an Olympics silver medal will be the face of the festival.
The KITE Festival(TIKF) is organized to profile the long-standing regional tradition of kite-flying and the unique culture, crafts, and cuisine of Telangana through an exciting festival program for schools, children, families and kite-flying enthusiasts of all ages, Mr. B.Venkatesham, Secretary Tourism added.
KITE 2017, Telangana International Kite Festival (TIKF), is a family fun festival celebrating Sankranthi. It aims to raise the tourism profile and rich cultural heritage of Hyderabad as a ‘hidden jewel' of India by attracting renowned international kite flyers to our state. This emerging state festival will take place in Hyderabad and surrounding districts, with the prime event at the breath-taking 100acre campus of Aga Khan Academy near RGI Airport, B. Venkatesham stated.
KITE 2017 builds on the success of KITE 2016, a pioneering annual international kite festival designed to present Telangana's a vibrant space in the festival landscape of India. 2016 saw a footfall of 7, 000+ with seven international teams and nine nations represented. KITE 2017 promises to be bigger and better, more and different.
Festival Program – 12th to 17th January 2017
Telangana Tourism is extending KITE into a week-long festival spread across four districts and expects a total footfall of 50, 000.
•Thursday 12th – Official Telangana Tourism Welcome with Hyderabad City events
•Friday 13th – Inclusive Schools Program @ Aga Khan Academy
•Saturday 14th& Sunday 15th – 2 days of family fun and kite flying @ Aga Khan Academy
•Monday 16th – KITE 2017 in Yadagirigutta
•Tuesday 17th – KITE 2017 in Warangal
KITE 2017 aims to entertain and educate. An inclusive pre-festival Schools Program is scheduled for Friday 13th January following the success of this program last year. Students from government and private schools will join to learn through experience, engaging with kite-making, paper craft, origami as well as presentations and exhibitions of the history of kites.