Kites fly high at Kishoreganj

Contestants gear up for the kite festival (left); Kites on display (right)

Kite Festival '08 was held at Kishoreganj's new stadium last Thursday. The aim was to acquaint the younger generation with what was once an integral part of our folk culture.
The opening ceremony was followed by a function of folk songs by local singers. The speakers emphasised that due to urbanisation many traditions of rural Bengal were fading away. Though urbanisation may have helped us materially, it has eroded our tranquility. Many speakers at the opening ceremony, in fact, became nostalgic when they went down memory lane.
Over 50 participants, including additional deputy commissioner Tapan Chandra Bonik, took part in the kite flying competition organised by Kishoreganj Zila Parisad.
Among others, deputy commissioner Sultan Ahmed; chief executive, Babu Bonamali Bhoumik of Zila Parishad; police super, Mizanur Rahman; principal Ashraf Uddin of Kishoreganj Government Women's College; Sadar Upazila Nirbahi officer Shahanaz Dilruba Khanam addressed the opening ceremony. Dr. Abdul Hye was the convener of the kite festival.
Prizes were distributed in two categories- one for kite flying competition while the other was for fancy and striking design of kites.
In the kite flying competition Siddiqur Rahman bagged the first place, Abul Kalam second, ADC (revenue) Tapan Chandra Banik and Sajahan jointly came third. In the other category, Selim Kabir who is member of Jatia Ghuri Federation notched the first place while, Fenu Mia and Haris Mia came up second and third respectively.
In the prize giving ceremony followed by kite flying competition speakers said, making kites is an aesthetic skill. In bygone days, the denizens of rural Bengal made a variety of fancy kites which had a mass appeal.
ADC (revenue) Tapan Chadra Bonik, who came third in the kite flying competition while defeating seven contestants, said a stadium is not suitable for flying kites. He said to have real taste of flying kites one has to go to open fields where there is uninterrupted flow of wind --which is only available in rural Bengal.
Chief executive of Zila Parishad Babu Bonomali Bhoumik said, to revive the past glory of folk cultural traditions, every year Kishoreganj Zila Parishad will organise kite festivals, bull-fights and other events at the town's stadium.