On the morning of Sunday 13th January 2013 the International Kite Festival got off to a grand start at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. Speaking on the occasion Shri Narendra Modi spoke about the efforts taken by the Gujarat Government to give a strong impetus to tourism and shared that festivals such as this will give a strong impetus to tourism due to which the poorest of poor will benefit. He attributed the strides taken by Gujarat to promote tourism to the ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ culture of our land.
Shri Modi avowed that it is the strength of the 6 crore Gujaratis that draws people from all over the world.
The Chief Minister pointed, “Gujarat has a lot to show and give to the world. But in the past emphasis was not given to promote tourism in the way in which it should have,” and added, “In the past few years we have given an impetus to tourism. We want people to come to Gujarat. To see Gujarat.”
Expressing joy at the new heights scaled by Gujarat in the tourism sector Shri Modi affirmed, “In such a less time few places would have emerged as such an attraction for tourists the way Gujarat has. Tourism in India is growing at 7%. In Gujarat tourism is growing at 16%. We are growing double of the nation. It shows that the path we took, the initiatives we adopted are reaping fruits.”
On the International Kite Festival Shri Modi said, “Patang Utsav was a routine effort. It has existed for a long time. But what was not there was the skill to show it to the world. We showed how a kite can draw the world to Gujarat!” He shared that this time the Government is promoting Patang Utsav in small towns as well such as Modhera.
Extending his good wishes on Makar Sankranti, Shri Modi said that the festival is a path towards brightness, it’s a festival of scaling new heights. “It is an opportunity to thank the Sun God. There is no corner of India where this festival is not celebrated,” he said. Shri Modi also affirmed, “ For the last two days we took the kite of development to newer heights. We have to move ahead with renewed confidence and go ahead with the blessings of the Sun God so that Gujarat scales newer heights of development.”
Cabinet Minister Shri Saurabh Bhai Patel also spoke on the occasion. Cabinet Ministers Smt. Anandiben Patel, Shri Nitin Patel and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
