International Kite and Sweet Festival opens in Hyderabad with colour and crowds
HYDERABAD: The International Kite and Sweet Festival was inaugurated at the Parade Grounds on January 13, turning the city skyline into a spread of colours as kite flyers from India and abroad took part in the three day event.
The festival was formally opened by Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao along with Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar. Participants from 25 Indian states and several countries are part of the event.
Addressing the gathering, Jupally Krishna Rao said festivals with a long history play a key role in preserving cultural traditions. He said the participation of kite flyers from across the country and overseas reflected India’s “unity in diversity”.
Recalling his childhood experiences of flying kites, the minister said the activity instils a sense of freedom and joy. He added that the government was exploring plans to promote large-scale kite manufacturing in Hyderabad to reduce dependence on imports and create employment opportunities for youth.
The minister said tourism remained a priority sector for the government, as it helps generate revenue while supporting livelihoods of local artisans, craftsmen and small traders. He urged people to make travel a regular habit, saying even short trips contribute to the local economy. He also conveyed Sankranti greetings to people of the Telugu states.
After the inauguration, the ministers visited the Sweet Festival section, where traditional sweets from different Indian states were displayed. They interacted with stall owners and sampled several items.
సికింద్రాబాద్ పరేడ్ గ్రౌండ్స్లో అంతర్జాతీయ పతంగులు, మిఠాయిల పండుగను సహచర మంత్రివర్యులు శ్రీ పొన్నం ప్రభాకర్ గారితో కలిసి ఘనంగా ప్రారంభించాను.
శతాబ్దాల చరిత్ర కలిగిన పతంగుల పండుగ, మన సంస్కృతి, సంప్రదాయాల పరిరక్షణ కోసం
ప్రభుత్వం ఇలాంటి ఉత్సవాలను నిర్వహిస్తోంది. ఈ వేడుకల్లో… pic.twitter.com/libgZVbsYn— Jupally Krishna Rao (@jupallyk_rao) January 13, 2026
Tourism Development Corporation chairman Patel Ramesh Reddy, Telangana Tourism Development Corporation managing director Kranti Valluri, Director of Language and Culture Narsimha Reddy, Heritage Director Arjun Rao, kite festival consultant Pawan D. Solanki and CLICK representatives Limby Benjamin, Paramananda Sharma and Abhijit, among others, were present.
