TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
BELGAUM: Goan handicrafts will get a major boost for the first time in the region during the International Kite festival, organized by Parivartan Pariwar, here from January 19 to 22.
The event has been organized under the leadership of Belgaum South MLA Abhay Patil for the third consecutive year. About 40 participants from UK, Lebanon, France, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and other countries will share clear Belgaum skies with about 25 national teams demonstrating their skills in kiting amid Belgaum’s cool and salubrious weather conditions.
Kites of different shapes, colours and displaying themes and concepts will adorn Belgaum skies during the event which is being held on Savgaon Road.
Karnataka Minister for Tourism Anand Singh will inaugurate the festival, while Goa Minister for Industries and Social Welfare Mahadev Naik will be the chief guest for the inaugural function along with other dignitaries.
Stating that the response to the festival in Belgaum has been overwhelming since the last two years, MLA Abhay Patil said over five lakh visitors from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa are expected to visit the International Kite festival in Belgaum which has now gained international recognition and given well-deserved global exposure to Belgaum.
“Apart from increasing tourism opportunities, especially the international tourists visiting Goa during the tourism season, the festival with more than 200 stalls also offers opportunity to enhance brand exposure,” said MLA Patil adding that this year emphasis is given on Goan handicrafts.
“In order to enhance and strengthen age-old trading ties between Goa and Belgaum, Goa Handicrafts, Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd will have 25 stalls exhibiting the Goan handicrafts during this festival,” added Patil.
A food festival offering specialties from the region like Gokak Kardant, Rajabhau Bhel, Belgaum Kunda has been organised during all four days of this festival.
“Special buses have also been arranged from Goa to get foreign tourists to Belgaum,” informed Patil.
