Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jan 3: The chances of international kite festival, which used to take place in the city for some years, getting cancelled this year due to shortage of grant.

Kite festival was led by Team Mangaluru with the cooperation of district administration. However, as the grant is not given by the state government, it is doubtful that the festival will be held this year.

The representatives of seven to eight countries arrive in the city for the kite festival. The expenses will be around Rs 20-25 lac. State government is not showing interest to give that much of grant. None of the other organizations are also showed any inclination to bear the cost. As a result the organizers have decided to call off the festival.

The kite festival was last held in 2019 on Panambur beach. As many as 16 representatives from eight countries including Belgium, Netherlands, France, Cambodia and Malaysia had participated in the same. The then tourism minister C P Yogeshwar had promised separate grant for the festival. But so far no grant is given. On the contrary government has to pay Rs 2.5 lac to district administration.

Artist Dinesh Holla of Team Mangaluru said, “The kite festival used to take place in January in the city. Most of the foreign representatives who used to visit the Gujarat kite festival were taking part in the Mangaluru festival also. However, this year no preparation has still begun. At least three months are required to invite foreign participants. Hence, this year, the kite festival will not take place.”

Deputy commissioner Ravikumar said, “As Covid is on the rise once again in the country, decision will be taken in coming days on holding kite festival based on the situation. As the cases of Covid variant are rising in foreign countries, it is not advisable to invite participants from overseas countries now.”