Telangana to Host Kite, Sweet, Balloon Festivals and Drone Show for Sankranti
Table of Contents
Source:Deccan Chronicle
Relevance:
TGPSC – Telangana Culture, Tourism Initiatives, Safety Regulations
Important Keywords
For Prelims:
- Sankranti Festival, International Kite Festival, Nylon Manja Ban, Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC), Secunderabad Parade Grounds, Hot Air Balloon Festival, Drone Show, Gachibowli Stadium
For Mains:
- Cultural Tourism, Festival Economy, Public Safety Regulation, Crowd Management, Women Empowerment, Technology-driven Events, Sustainable Tourism, Urban Event Governance
Why in News?
Telangana is organising a series of large-scale cultural and tourism events for Sankranti, including the International Kite Festival, Sweet Festival, Hot Air Balloon Festival and a Drone Show, while enforcing a strict ban on nylon manja to ensure public safety during mass gatherings.
Multi-Event Sankranti Celebrations in Telangana
The Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC), in 2coordination with the Tourism and Culture Department, is hosting multiple festivals across Hyderabad to celebrate Sankranti as a cultural, tourism and economic event rather than merely a traditional festival.
These celebrations aim to attract domestic and international visitors while showcasing Telangana’s cultural heritage.
International Kite Festival: Global Participation and Attractions
- Venue: Secunderabad Parade Grounds
- Dates: January 13 to 15
- Participation:
- 40 international kite flyers from 19 countries, including Indonesia, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, Japan, France, Italy, Switzerland, Russia, Algeria and Thailand
- 55 national participants from 15 Indian States
- Special attraction: Hanuman-themed kites
- Kite flying height: Up to 25 feet
- Additional features:
- Night kite-flying displays
- Cultural performances highlighting Telangana’s traditional art forms
- Around 100 handloom and handicraft stalls
- 60 food courts offering regional cuisines
Strict Ban on Nylon Manja
TGTDC has issued a strict advisory banning nylon manja during kite flying due to serious safety risks.
- Nylon thread can cause fatal injuries, especially to infants, children and elderly persons
- Enforcement measures include:
- Checks at entry points of the festival venue
- Allowing only cotton thread
- The ban will be strictly enforced at Secunderabad Parade Grounds, where lakhs of visitors are expected
Sweet Festival: Culinary Diversity and Women Empowerment
- Organised in collaboration with Culture Language Indian Connections (CLIC)
- Showcases over 1,200 varieties of homemade sweets
- Participants include people from different Indian States and foreign countries settled in Hyderabad
- New additions: Sindhi and Nagaland cuisines
- Women participants provided free stalls
- Entire earnings retained by women, promoting economic empowerment
Hot Air Balloon Festival
- Dates: January 16 to 18
- Participation: 15 international hot air balloons operated by European teams
- Events:
- Morning balloon rides on the outskirts of Hyderabad
- Evening Night Glow Balloon shows at the Parade Grounds
Drone Show and Use of Advanced Technology
- Venue: Gachibowli Stadium
- Dates: January 16 and 17
- Key features:
- Advanced drones with multi-colour LED lights
- Synchronized aerial formations
- FPV (First-Person View) video feeds
- The show represents the integration of technology with cultural celebrations
Tourism Promotion and Urban Management Measures
- Tourism Minister stated that tourism is a key driver of economic and social development
- The government is leveraging beautified urban lakes such as:
- Bathukamma Kunta
- Thammidi Kunta
- Bumruk Dawla
- Nalla Cheruvu
for kite-flying activities
- To manage crowds and traffic:
- Coordination with Uber and Rapido
- Discounted rides
- Dedicated pick-up and drop-off points
Conclusion
Telangana’s Sankranti celebrations demonstrate a comprehensive approach to cultural tourism, combining tradition, global participation, women empowerment, safety regulation and modern technology. The strict ban on nylon manja, promotion of local livelihoods, and use of drone technology reflect a progressive model of festival governance that balances public safety with economic and cultural objectives.
CARE MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC):
- TGTDC was incorporated under the Companies Act on 28 August 2014.
- It is responsible for developing tourist infrastructure and operating package tours in Telangana.
- Its activities are limited only to hotels and resorts, with no role in eco-tourism or pilgrimage tourism.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Correct:
TGTDC was incorporated under the Companies Act on 28 August 2014, soon after the formation of Telangana state. - Statement 2 – Correct:
TGTDC is entrusted with tourism development, including tourist infrastructure creation and operation of package tours for overall tourism growth in the state. - Statement 3 – Incorrect:
TGTDC’s activities are not limited to hotels and resorts. It is also involved in heritage tourism, pilgrimage tourism, eco-tourism, wayside amenities, tourist boats, and related services.
