ONGC-MRPL to Hold International Kite Festival on Feb 10 and 11
THE EVENT:
ONGC-MRPL International Kite Festival is being organized by Team Mangalore, a hobby group of kite makers and flyers. The event will be held on the 10th and 11th of January at the Tannir Bhavi Beach, near Mangalore.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
Flying starts at 2:30 pm on the 10th and 11th. There is no entry fee, no formalties no speeches just the fun of flying.
The Dignitaries will launch the Festival kite at 5 pm on 10th February 2024 followed by the launch of speciality kites by Patrons and Sponsors Flying on the first day ends at 8 pm.
Night Flying of Kites will commence from 6:30 pm on 10th February and will continue till 8 pm.
The two-day post-noon festival concludes with a valedictory function with an informal function at 7:00 pm on the 11th evening, after a brief stage function to felicitate participating kite flyers.
SPONSORS:
The event is mainly sponsored jointly by ONGC and MRPL a socially responding business and other entities like Medec Medicare Limited, Mumbai, and New Mangalore Port Authority, have also supported the event.
PARTICIPANTS:
13 Foreign Flyers from 8 countries (of which 10 are first-time visitors) and around 20 Indian flyers from 4 states viz., Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana and Kerala are participating in this festival. Team Mangalore, the organizers would also fly their speciality kites like Kathakkali, Yaksha, Gajendra, Bhoota Kola, Garuda, Pushpaka Vimana and Vibhishana.
ARRANGEMENTS:
Traffic Movement and Parking:
Considering the large number of visitors, Elaborate arrangements are being made in association with the D.K. District Police, Panambur Police Station, NMPA and District Administration for smooth flow of vehicular traffic and parking. They have assured their support for this mega event. The parking arrangement for approximately 2000 cars/LMVs and over 6000 two-wheelers has been made. Earmarked Parking Zones are made and visitors are requested to patiently abide by the guidance given by Police or Volunteers. Entry of heavy vehicles will be restricted by the Traffic Police.
The parking arrangement is also made at Sulthan Battery at Mata Amritanandamayi school grounds. The commuters to the festival venue by ferry are requested to park their vehicle on the school grounds.
Approach to Venue: The venue can be approached by Road through NH 66 via Kulur and also by Ferry across Sulthan Battery.
No Manja Kites please: (MANJA KITES STRICTLY BANNED)
Manja is a specially treated thread used for Kite flying in Kite cutting competitions in Gujarat and other northern states. Glass powder and glue
are applied for the manja thread. This thread cuts through the skin and is dangerous for the eyes, face, neck and fingers, especially for children. It also causes damage and cuts the kites of participating guest flyers, thus bringing a bad name for Mangalore in the International Flying Circles. It is hereby made clear that in the interest of the public, possession, sale or use of manja thread is not allowed on Tannir Bavi Beach during the kite festival. The police authorities have been requested to take appropriate action on persons flying manja kites.
Lost /Found Shelter:
A separate Shelter is 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 they miss them. Anyone who finds a missing child may guide the child to this shelter. Names of such children would be announced on the Public address system.
Earmarked Swimming Area:
Playing in the waves is fun. Why should Children be deprived of it? Local natives would provide lifeguard services within the earmarked swimming area. Children should be accompanied by elders strictly.
Stalls: Food Festival
Several stalls vending fruits, mineral water, ice cream, soft drinks and food including seafood are available on the beach under the Food Festival taking place on the beach. M.C.C. provides drinking water facilities too. Enough waste bins would be laid. We earnestly appeal to the public to use the same so that we can keep our beaches clean.
As a special case and event being mega, Hon’ble DC has kindly permitted the Food Festival till 12 Midnight on both days.
Toilets:
Pay and use toilet facilities are available on the beach.
8. Kite Shops :
Kites of various sizes, shapes and colours will be available for sale at the Kites Shops. However, manja kites are not allowed.
9. Medical Aid :
District Health Officers would provide emergency medical aid and ambulance services at the festival venue.
10. Fire Services :
Karnataka Fire Services Department would place a Fire Tender to take care of unforeseen Fire emergencies at the festival venue.
11. Bus Shuttle Services :
M/s PTC Bus Services will be providing a shuttle service from Kudremukh Junction to the GMR Plant on a rotation basis. This service will be on a chargeable basis by the operator. The buses will ply from 1:00 PM onwards till the end of the festival on both days.