The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The traditional Annual Kite-flying Festival of the city dwellers was held yesterday at the Dhaka University playground amid much enthusiasm and merriment.

The committee for celebrating 400 years of Dhaka and 'Dhakabashi', an organisation of the city's residents, jointly organized the kite-flying festival and competition with the slogan, "Love Dhaka and keep the city clean."

Primary and Mass Education, and Women, Children and Cultural Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury inaugurated the festival in presence of a cheerful crowd of men, women and children.

Canadian High Commissioner Barbara Richardson, Malaysian High Commissioner Abdul Malek Bin Abdul Aziz, Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor A F M Eusuf Haider, Nestle Bangladesh Ltd. senior manager Shammi Rubaiyat Karim and Khan Saleh Mahmud were present as the special guests.

The holiday crowd was enthralled with musical performance by some traditional cultural bodies of old Dhaka including Kalachand Bandparty Dal, colourful horse carts display and playing of the lute by Abdul Kader on the sidelines of the kite-flying festival.

Hazaribagh central chapter of Bangladesh Kite Federation, Kayettuli Kite Club and Dhaka Kite Club took part in the spectacular kite-flying competition.

Besides, a children's kite-related art competition was arranged to mark the occasion.

The festival ended with the distribution of prizes among the winners.