Kerala team to participate in international kite fest in Gujarat

A seven-member team of the Force India Kite Club will represent the Kerala contingent at the 35th Annual International Kite Festival (IKF). Organised by the Gujarat government and its Department of Tourism, the event takes place at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad from January 10 to 15.

The kite club, participating in the festival for the fourth consecutive year, will join enthusiasts from over 28 States and 50 countries, coinciding with Gujarat’s famous Uttarayan festival.

​“Under the banner of ‘One World, One Sky’, the global kite family gathers to celebrate the adventure and excitement that unites us all in a boundless world. The festival is not about competing; it’s about connecting,” said Sreejith Kumar M.P., chairman and founder of the club, who will lead the team in the upcoming event.

Mr. Sreejith has been a regular participant in national and international kite festivals for many years and was the Best Sportsmanship Award winner at the Wuhan International Kite Festival in 2019.

​“This union of kitists from across the globe is a great opportunity for enthusiasts to appreciate kite culture and craftsmanship,” said Anoop S. Nair, general secretary and international coordinator of the club. “It is a true honour to represent Kerala on this distinguished global platform,” he added.

​The members of the Kerala team include Anoop S. Nair from Kollam, Narmadha C. from Calicut, Giridhar V.R. from Thiruvananthapuram, Muhammed Nasru, Siraj Vaithiri, and Saranya K.V. from Wayanad.

​Apart from Ahmedabad, the festival will be held across various venues, including Rajkot, Surat, Shivrajpur, Vadodara, Ekta Nagar, and Dholavira.

​Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, will inaugurate the festival, which is gearing up to host 144 professional kite flyers from across the globe and hundreds of flyers from various States and Union territories. The festival, held every January, paints the Gujarat sky as a vibrant canvas of mesmerising colours, creating a significant cultural landmark and becoming part of history as one of the largest kite festivals in the world.