Ministers Jupally Krishna Rao and Ponnam Prabhakar Inaugurate the 3-Day Global Event
HYDERABAD, JANUARY 13, 2026: The skies over Hyderabad transformed into a canvas of vibrant colors as the International Kite and Sweet Festival was officially inaugurated at the Parade Grounds on Tuesday. The three-day cultural extravaganza was formally launched by Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jupally Krishna Rao, alongside Transport Minister, Ponnam Prabhakar.
Preserving Heritage through Festivity
Addressing the gathering, Minister Jupally Krishna Rao emphasized that festivals with centuries of history are vital for safeguarding the state’s rich culture and traditions. “These celebrations ensure our heritage is passed down to future generations. Seeing participants from 25 states and various countries come together today is a testament to our ‘Unity in Diversity’,” the Minister said. Recalling his own childhood, he shared nostalgic memories of flying kites, noting how the sport fosters a sense of freedom and joy.
Highlighting the government’s vision, the Minister announced plans to promote large-scale kite manufacturing within Hyderabad. “By shifting from importing to local manufacturing, we can create significant employment opportunities for our youth,” he stated. He reiterated that the government’s primary objective is to enhance the state’s revenue through tourism while simultaneously generating livelihoods for local artisans and the unemployed.
Minister Jupally urged the public to integrate travel into their lifestyle. “I encourage everyone to visit tourist destinations at least two days a month. This not only provides mental relaxation but directly sustains the livelihoods of local artists, craftsmen, and small traders,” he added. He extended his warm Sankranti greetings to the people of the Telugu States and invited everyone to make the festival a grand success.
Following the inauguration, the Ministers toured the Sweet Festival stalls, which showcased a diverse array of traditional delicacies from various Indian states. They interacted with the vendors and sampled the unique sweets on display.
Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Patel Ramesh Reddy, TGTDC Managing Director Kranti Valluri, Director of Language and Culture Narsimha Reddy, Heritage Director Arjun Rao, Kite Festival consultant Pawan D. Solanki, CLICK representatives Limby Benjamin, Paramananda Sharma and Abhijit, among others, were present.
