Friday, December 28, 2012

Uttarayan is celebrated in Ahmedabad

The unique International Kite Festival or Uttarayan is celebrated in Gujarat. This festival is celebrated on the day which marks turning of winter season in summer. Uttarayan is celebrated on 14th January every year, also called as Makar Sankranti in other parts of India. The day is celebrated with a great spirit.
On this day the normal activities take a pause and almost everyone despite of their religion participate in the festival. The festival starts from the dawn and puts up a splendorous demonstration till dusk.

Kite Festival in Ahmedabad.

Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. (Photo: Gujarat Global)
Kite Festival in Ahmedabad.

Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. (Photo: Gujarat Global)
International Kite Festival.

International Kite Festival. (Photo: Angels Only)
International Kite Festival.

International Kite Festival. (Photo: For Angels Only)
At a glance
Since 1989, the city of Ahmedabad has hosted the International Kite Festival. The main attribute of the festival is the show of ‘diversity’ in all aspects. Kites all shapes and sizes are seen in the sky and the main competition is to cut the strings of nearby kite flyers and bring it down. For this purpose people intend to make their strings and sharp as possible, to give a tough fight. The special kite strings are coated with the mixture of glass and glue called as ‘manjha’.

International Tourists @ Kite Festival in Gujarat.

International Tourists @ Kite Festival in Gujarat. (Photo: World News)
Kite flying enthusiasts from different parts of the world arrive at Ahmedabad to take part in the international competition.

Kite flying enthusiasts from different parts of the world arrive at Ahmedabad to take part in the international competition. (Photo: Urmi)
Many visitors from USA, Japan, Mexico, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and France participate in this festival. Kites made of leaves, paper, plastics, shiny material cover the sky on this day. All members of family gather on the roof top to enjoy the festival. Women sing traditional songs relating to the coming home of god. They also prepare special foods like laddoos, surati jamun or undhyu and over the course of the day relatives and friends visit each other to exchange greetings.
History
The tradition of flying kites in India has been drawn from either Muslim traders who bought this tradition from Persia or the Buddhist pilgrims from China. Kites have been mentioned in number of inscriptions, miniature paintings and also in songs composed by Santnambe. Although the festival of Uttarayan is a Hindu Festival, the tradition is thought to have existed with the Nawabs. Since, Gujarat is the state situated in the westernmost part of India, the tradition of Hindus and Muslims had unified together, making it a culture.
Location
Kite Festival in Ahmedabad.

Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. (Photo: Xcite Fun)
Uttarayan is celebrated in almost all cities of Gujarat. The festivity can best be experienced in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodra, Rajkot and Nadiad. However, the main centre of this festival is Ahmedabad where participants from all countries show interest. The best place to lay and watch on this day would be the Sardar Patel Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad is a well connected city. You can board a train or book a flight easily from any major city of the country. You can also go by car and experience the beauty of landscape.
The week preceding Uttaryan , the markets exhibit variety of kites in all shapes and sizes. In the heart of Ahmedabad, the famous Kite Bazaar presents a spectacular range of kites which during the festive week is open almost the whole day. Many families make their own kites and sell in small shops.
International Kite Festival 2013

International Kite Festival 2013
If you are a passionate Kite lover, participate in the International Kite Festival 2013 and be a part of the rejoicing festival. Make you bookings as soon as possible to be among the Gujarati this January.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Ahmedabad Kankaria Lake Carnival

Kankaria is the biggest lake in the city of Ahmedabad. Kankaria Lake- A polygonal lake almost a mile in periphary, was constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din. In the centre of the lake is an island-garden with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi. by sultan Ahmed Shah.

The place is for enjoyment by the chidren as well as a place for YOGA, walking/ running, early morning during specified time, one can enter without any charge. The lake is surounded by other attractions like a zoo, Nagina Wadi, Balvatika, an aquarium and gardens. Kankaria Zoo has also reords in breeding of rare species in Zoo which make them to feel that they are now more surrounded by nature because now no whicles are allowed. And the nights are much more silent. This also helps all creatures in providing natural atmosphere. Tourists/visitors will remember this place for years together.


The Logo used by the State Bank of India is identicle to this place.



Narendra Modi attends NDC meeting in Delhi



New Delhi: After registering whipping conquest for the third consecutive time in the Gujarat assembly polls, BJP strongman and Chief Minister Narendra Modi inwards in the national capital on Thursday to attend the National Development Council.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will chair the NDC meeting. This will be Modi’s first visit to the national capital after swearing-in as the Chief Minister for the fourth time.
While addressing his victory rally on December 20, the firebrand Gujarat leader said that he will visit Delhi for a day if his supporters want to do.
Narendra Modi sworn-in as Gujarat CM
Modi, who powered BJP to emphatic victory in Gujarat, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Kamla Beniwal at a public ceremony on Wednesday.
The swearing-in ceremony was marked by the presence of a galaxy of top BJP leaders and allies as also conspicuous absence of any representative of key alliance partner JD (U) and Opposition Congress.

Modi, who became Chief Minister for the first time in 2001 and again in 2002 and 2007, was sworn in along with seven ministers of Cabinet rank and nine Ministers of State.

Narendra Modi in Delhi

Narendra Modi, who yesterday took oath as the Gujarat Chief Minister for the fourth time, today received a grand welcome from the BJP workers at the party headquarters here. Mr Modi said he was a worker of the BJP and will take the accountability given by the party with full authenticity. "I am grateful to the party workers for such welcome. I have spent many years of my life at 11 Ashoka Road doing party work. A simple worker like me has been able to do what I could do shows strong point of the party's organization and Indian equality," he said addressing hundreds of party workers. BJP president Nitin Gadkari was also present on the dais with Mr Modi, who was in the national capital to attend the 57th National Development Council (NDC) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Mr Modi said the voters of Gujarat have given verdict in favors of the developmental works done by the BJP government in the state. "In 12 years we have moved way ahead. I have always tried to fulfill my responsibility. There is no substitute to hard work," he said amid slogans by the party workers who gathered to take a quick look of the charismatic leader. The party workers welcomed him by lighting crackers, beating drums and chanting slogans like "Modi PM, PM". Mr Gadkari said Gujarat was an example of development and good governance before the nation.
Mr Gadkari praised the developmental works done by the Narendra Modi administration in Gujarat. The BJP sources said Mr Modi also visited former Prime Minister and veteran BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has been under the weather, and senior leader LK Advani. Mr Modi's supporters see his insistent victory in the Gujarat Assembly polls as a step towards to his superior role in the party at the national stage, perhaps even as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 general elections.

Kankaria hall booking rate

Kankaria hall booking rate zooms from Rs 6k to Rs 25k

 AHMEDABAD: There are only a few options for the poor and the middle-income groups when it comes to hiring community halls for social functions like marriage and community prayer meeting in the city. Among them was the picnic hall at Kankaria lake which, till now, was available along with an open plot for Rs 6,000. On Friday, the standing committee of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation ( AMC) raised the fee to Rs 25,000 for hiring both - the hall and the plot.

"The new rate for the hall is Rs 10,000 as it is air-conditioned. If the family wants to hire both the hall and the plot, the new rate will be Rs 20,000. The rule also wants a Rs 25,000 deposit," says standing committee chairman Bhupendra Patel.
"If we start charging fee for the air-conditioners separately, the cost will be higher. In this package, the poor and the middle-income groups can enjoy the good air-conditioned hall during summers," he added.

However, the opposition Congress has claimed that the new rates are anti-poor, "How many chawls in the city have air-conditioners that they would want an air-conditioned setting during receptions and marriages. Families should have a choice for an air-conditioned hall. Let the basic rate prevail. With Rs 12,000 saving, the poor family can buy more food to feed the guests," said opposition leader Badruddin Sheikh. The opposition on Friday had gate crashed into standing committee chairman's office to protest against the steep hike in the picnic hall rates.

Kankaria Carnival 2012 gets a glittering launch





Ahmedabad : The much-awaited, and well-publicised, Kankaria Carnival got off to a colourful start here this evening, lauched by Narendra Modi.

Speaking on the occurrence, he said that the Carnival had become a platform to platform the creative abilities of children from poor families. 
  
Expressing the expect that the Kankaria Kids City will become a major tourist desirability; he also thanked the locals for their collaboration in maintaining sanitation and order at the venue.

“The facelift was done by the government by cleanliness and environment was preserved by the people. And I thank them for their cooperation,” Modi said while addressing the opening ceremony ceremony of the fifth edition of the carnival. Besides launching the week-long event, Modi also inaugurated projects worth Rs. 110 crore, including two ‘Janmarg’ (BRTS) routes.  









Reliance Sabarmati Marathon in ahmedabad



Welcome to Reliance Sabarmati Marathon, Amdavad
Lovely winter of Amdavad, 600 years old historical city with its enchanting monuments, modern infrastructure and the indomitable Amdavadi spirit invite the runner in you to test your metal against the very best!

The 3rd edition of the event is scheduled on 6th January 2013. This edition promises to be even bigger and better!

Ever mounting popularity of the event is because it is well controlled and also because it has one of the flattest race terrains. The western winter weather has just the right temperature for running. No wonder, some of the fastest times are recorded in the preceding editions here.

Sabarmati Marathon also gives you an occasion to visit and experience one of the most admired cities and voted one of the best cities to live in!

Sabarmati Marathon 2013 in Ahmedabad



Sabarmati Marathon in Ahmadabad is Gujarat’s first ever International Marathon. Lovely winter of Amdavad, 600 years old historical city with its enthralling monuments, modern infrastructure, beautiful roads and the indomitable Amdavadi spirit invite you to test your metal against the very best! impatiently awaited Sabarmati Marathon – 2013 edition is scheduled on 6th January 2013. The second largest marathon event of India arranged in the commercial capital of India’s most progressive state promises to be even bigger and better!