RAMY SALAMA

DOHA GUJARATI Samaj Qatar, an Indian community forum, held its annual kite flying festival at the Al Dosari garden near Shahaniya, on Friday. The daylong event was attended by over 800 members of the Gujarati community.

Talking to Qatar Tribune, IC Patel, founder and adviser of Gujarati Samaj Qatar, said, “Every year we celebrate the event here. We would like to thank Mohammed al Dosari for his generosity in providing the venue for the festival.” Vijay M Dhandha, vicepresident of the group, said it was an all-day event.

“We provide breakfast, lunchtime, and evening tea.

The kite competition is a yearly celebration intended to mark the end of the winter season, and the victory of light over darkness, just as it is celebrated in India’s western state of Gujarat,” Dhandha said.

Ramesh J Patel, a patron member of the forum, added: “Traditionally, we also eat a mixture of sesame seeds and jaggary (or unrefined cane sugar) called chikki during this festival. This symbolises one’s intention to mix with others, and to be polite and sweet with everyone, to spread positive feelings to all those one encounters.” As part of the festival, ‘A Flower for Each Spring’, a sustainable development initiative under the direction of the Friends of the Environment Centre, sent representatives to present prizes to winners of the various competitions.