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Kite lovers throng festival site

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 26 � Hundreds of kites of different colours and shapes dotted the skies overlooking the Brahmaputra at Uzanbazar Jahaj Ghat here evoking mixed feelings of childhood nostalgia and a yearning to establish communion with the expanse all around.

On a lazy Sunday, Guwahatians chose to participate in the Jeevan Initiative festival of kites which carried an apt title, �The Sky is Mine till I have Desire to Fly�. People in different age groups and from various socio-economic backgrounds thronged the bank of the Brahmaputra till late in the evening today, flew kites and enjoyed the ambience complemented by the mesmerizing Brahmaputra in the backdrop.

Noted social activist Birubala Rabha formally inaugurated the festival and called upon the gathering to be part of the efforts aimed at removing all the social ills so as to build a progressive State.

For many, it was an opportunity to escape from the humdrum routine and discover the real beauty of life.

�When I read that a kite festival is going to be held in the city, I decided then and there that I am not going to miss this opportunity,� said Gautam Gohain, a businessman. Hailing from Jorhat, Gautam has been living in the capital city for many years now and the kite festival helped him to revive his childhood memories and to forget the drudgery of life.

Friends of Gautam, Bedanta Basumatary, working with HDFC and Manash Mahanta were also accompanied him. These three friends spent several hours at the festival ground, finding out that even insignificant things can assume real significance and fill the hearts with happiness.

�This happiness is so true and pure,� said Bedanta Basumatary.

The festival had many other diversions as well for the visitors. If some were seen flying their kites, others were seen looking carefully at the paintings on exhibit. Traditional magic and music also provided entertainment to the citizens.

�I wanted some quality time and to be away from the bustle of life. I did not fly a kite, but enjoyed watching others fly their kites. Today I again discovered the beauty of the Brahmaputra,� said Navajyoti Das, a school teacher.

Though the wind was blowing all the time, the sand still had the small footprints. The happy voices of children added more life to the leisurely ambience. Food lovers had different ethnic dishes to choose from.

Around 1800 kites occupied the skies during the festival.

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