International Kite Festival 2026 Delhi: Amit Shah Calls for Global Push to Make Event World-Class

New Delhi: The International Kite Festival 2026 Delhi received a strong push from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday, as he called for sustained and coordinated efforts to transform the event into a major national and international attraction. Addressing the festival in the national capital, Shah emphasized that the kite festival should evolve into a platform that connects people across states, regions and cultures while showcasing India’s shared traditions to the world.

Extending greetings to citizens, especially farmers, on the occasions of Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, Magh Bihu and Uttarayan, Shah said that although these festivals are known by different names across the country, they reflect the same spirit of joy, gratitude and unity. Quoting poet Kalidasa’s famous line, “Utsavpriyāḥ khalu manuṣyāḥ”, he noted that festivals have always played a vital role in strengthening social bonds and collective progress in India.

International Kite Festival 2026 Delhi to Be Developed as Global Attraction

Calling for a structured roadmap, Shah suggested the formation of a dedicated committee to popularise the kite festival and increase public participation. He said Delhi should be developed as the focal point of this effort, with the long-term goal of placing the city’s kite festival among the most prominent kite festivals in India and across the world.

According to Shah, greater planning, wider outreach and consistent organisation can help the festival attract international kite flyers, tourists and cultural enthusiasts, turning it into a signature global event that reflects India’s cultural richness.

Delhi’s Baansera Park Highlighted as Emerging Tourism Hub

During his address, Shah also drew attention to Baansera, a unique nature park in Delhi developed with bamboo varieties sourced from different parts of the country. He described the park as a strong example of how determined vision and execution can deliver impactful results on the ground.

Urging the Delhi government to host more cultural and public events at Baansera, Shah said such initiatives could help the park emerge as a major attraction for both residents and visitors, while promoting environmental awareness and sustainable tourism.

International Kite Festival 2026 Delhi and India’s Freedom Struggle Legacy

Recalling history, Shah highlighted the role of kite flying during India’s freedom movement. He noted that during the nationwide protests against the Simon Commission, people marked Uttarayan by flying kites carrying the slogan “Simon Go Back,” turning the skies into a powerful symbol of resistance and unity.

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Describing Makar Sankranti as a living embodiment of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, Shah said the festival reflects India’s cultural diversity — from Lohri in Punjab and Haryana and Pongal in Tamil Nadu to Magh Bihu in Assam, Paush Sankranti in West Bengal, and Uttarayan in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The Delhi kite festival, he said, is an effort to bring these diverse traditions together on a single platform in the national capital.

Somnath Temple Symbolises Timeless Sanatan Culture

Shah also referred to the recently held Somnath Swabhiman Parv in Gujarat from January 8 to 11, organised under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark 1,000 years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple. He announced that the coming year would be observed nationwide as Somnath Swabhiman Varsh.

Highlighting the resilience of the Somnath Temple, Shah said that despite repeated destruction over centuries, it was rebuilt every time with greater determination. He remarked that while those who tried to erase it have disappeared from history, the temple continues to stand tall as a symbol of the eternal and timeless nature of Sanatan culture.