New Delhi, 16 January (H.S.): Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the third International Kite Festival on Friday at the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) 'Bansera' grassland along Yamuna Floodplains at Sarai Kale Khan, appealing to the Delhi government to form a dedicated committee elevating the event to national and international prominence.

Shah urged establishing Delhi as the world's kite festival capital, predicting the initiative would integrate the nation while transforming the capital into a magnet for global kite aficionados.

Lauding 'Bansera'—now a verdant expanse dotted with bamboo from every Indian region—he remarked, This site exemplifies that resolute determination yields such magnificent outcomes, extending Makar Sankranti greetings on the sun's Capricorn ingress and Uttarayan celebrations nationwide, affirming festivals as potent societal unifiers.

Recalling the kite festival's role in galvanizing patriotic fervor against the Simon Commission, Shah underscored its dual mission: furnishing Delhiites a pristine recreational haven while globalizing traditional sports. 'Bansera' has evolved into the capital's premier tourism and cultural landmark.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma, DDA Vice Chairman Shrawan Kumar, and senior officials accompanied the Home Minister.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar