Kites in ’shapes and colours’ at Panambur beach Jan 16 & 17
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Jan 15, 2016: Briefing the media, Team Mangalore coordinator Nithin Shetty said that three Indian teams from Dahanu, Mumbai and Hyderabad and 24 flyers from 13 other countries will participate in the festival. Team Mangalore, the organiser, would also fly its speciality kites like ‘Kathakkali’, ‘Yaksha’, ‘Gajaraja’, ‘Bhoota Kola’, ‘Pushpaka Vimana’ and ‘Garuda’ along with its latest creation ‘Vibheeshana’ and a special ‘Save Netravathi’ kite during the event, said the coordinator.
The event is being organised by Rotary Clubs of Zone IV Mangalore, in association with Team Mangalore, a hobby group of kite-makers and flyers.
Leader Sarvesh Rao said night-flying of kites has also been planned on Jan 16, Saturday, using high power beams, which will commence at 7 pm and go on for about an hour. For the first time in Mangaluru, an innovative idea of lighting a series of over 100 beach lanterns – especially created by Pranesh and Satish Rao of Team Mangalore – would be an added to the night flying of kites.
As a part of the fest, various cultural programmes have been arranged in the centre stage. In addition, M/s Madhuban Adz have arranged an open stage ‘ABCD-Any Body Can Do’ for display of talents by general public, informed Rao. The two-day festival would conclude with a valedictory function at 7 pm on January 17, after a brief stage function to felicitate participating kite-flyers.
Referring to the objective of organizing the festival, Team Mangalore said that there was an urgent need to bring back the childhood in our children. The vicious circle of school, tuition, mobile and television had curtailed their innocent childhood plays. There was a need to bring them outdoors to feel the joy of being with nature. It was an opportunity for the grown-ups to relive their childhood days too.
This is the fifth international kite festival in Mangaluru.
Manja kites ’NO’
Rao categorically sated that in the interest of public, possession, sale or use of Manja thread is strictly not allowed on Panambur beach during the kite festival. Manja is a specially treated thread used for kite-flying in kite-cutting competitions in Gujarat and other northern states. Glass powder and glue is applied to the manja thread. This thread cuts through the skin and is dangerous for the eyes, face, neck and fingers, especially of children. It also causes damage to and cuts the kites of participating guest flyers, thus bringing a bad name for Mangaluru in the International Flying Circles.
Arrangements
Elaborate arrangements have been made by the Panambur Beach Development Project Management – in association with the Dakshina Kannada District Police as well as the district administration – to ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic and parking.
A separate shelter has been arranged for children who are lost / found on the beach. Parents are requested to show this shelter to accompanying children and ask them to reach this shelter in case if they miss them. Anyone who finds a missing child too may guide the child to this shelter. Names of such children would be announced on the public address system.
As members of the public, especially children, would love to take bath on the beach, life guard services within the earmarked swimming area would be arranged. The children, however, should be accompanied by elders.
Several stalls vending fruits, mineral water, ice cream, soft drinks and food, including sea food, would be made available on the beach as the food festival is being organised by beach authorities. Members of the public, however, have been requested to make use of the waste bins so that the beach would remain clean.
Kites of various sizes, shapes and colours will be available for purchase at the kite shops.
K S Hegde Medical Academy, Deralakatte, would provide emergency medical aid and ambulance services at the festival venue, informed another coordinator Yathish Baikampady.