District in Charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao inaugurates ONGC-MRPL International Kite Festival, at Tannirbavi beach, Mangaluru, Jan 18, 2025.
Credit: DH Photo
Mangaluru: District-in-Charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao inaugurated the ONGC-MRPL International Kite Festival at the Tannirbavi beach in Mangaluru on Saturday.
Addressing the gathering, the minister said: "I am glad that such an event, which connects with people's hearts, is being organised in Mangaluru. The event is organised under the leadership of Team Mangalore, in collaboration with the district administration, Department of Tourism, state government and Department of Kannada and Culture. It is a matter of pride that kite enthusiasts from both India and abroad are participating."
The minister went on to say that there are plans to organise the festival as a competition in future. Events like this not only promote tourism but also uplift the spirits of people, he said, adding that organising this festival on the same fixed date every year should make it recognisable on the international calendar. This will enable more domestic and international tourists to participate.
"The district administration and government support will definitely be there for such programmes," he stressed.
MLC Manjunath Bhandari said that the kite festival will boost tourism in district. D
K Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan M P, MUDA chairman Sadashiv Ullal, Mayor Manoj Kumar, Sarvesh Rao of Team Mangalore were present at the event.
As many as 22 international kite flyers from 10 countries— UK, Greece, Germany, Netherlands, Slovenia, Estonia, Italy, Sweden, Portugal, and Indonesia—along with 30 Indian kite flyers participated. Night flying was another attraction.