Secunderabad, Jan 13 (IANS): Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday urged the younger generation to understand "the rich and diverse traditions" ingrained in Indian festivals and called for protecting, promoting and enriching country's "exceptional" culture and folk art forms.

Festivals are occasions for social bonding and inculcate a spirit of communal harmony and national integrity, he said after inaugurating the fourth International Kite Festival and Second International Sweet Festival here.

He said that the festivals symbolise renewal, rejuvenation and revival of Indian traditions and heritage, and bring in a sense of togetherness, unity, love and brotherhood in today's fast-paced world.

Naidu also tried his hand at kite flying for a few moments.

The fascination associated with the kite flying transcends age, class and community, he said, adding that kite-making is an art form and it requires skill, precision, devotion and inventiveness.

As many as 42 professional kite flyers from abroad and 60 from India participated in the Kite Festival.

The Vice President expressed happiness over this year's Kite Festival having adopted the theme of empowerment of girl child -- "Educate girl child and she will save the world".