Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the Kankaria Carnival 2025 on Wednesday, with a vibrant carnival parade marking the opening of the annual event and drawing large crowds of residents and visitors.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by In-charge Minister Rishikesh Patel, Minister of State for Urban Development Darshanaben Vaghela, and other public representatives.
A major highlight of the evening was a spectacular drone show that lit up the Kankaria skyline with aerial formations showcasing themes such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swadeshi Abhiyan, Local to Global, cleanliness, major sporting events including the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, and tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The visuals captivated spectators and highlighted India’s growing technological capabilities.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Patel paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 101st birth anniversary, recalling that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared the day as Good Governance Day in 2014. He said good governance plays a crucial role in bringing marginalised sections into the mainstream of development.
The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Modi’s leadership for transforming Ahmedabad through landmark urban projects such as the Kankaria Lakefront, Sabarmati Riverfront, Atal Bridge, and city-level events including the Shopping Festival, Flower Show and Kite Festival. He said these initiatives have enhanced citizens’ quality of life and set benchmarks in urban development.
Recalling the transformation of Kankaria, Patel said the area was once known only for its lake but was revitalised under Prime Minister Modi’s vision, giving rise to the Kankaria Carnival. “Today, Kankaria Lake and the carnival have become iconic symbols of Ahmedabad’s identity,” he said, adding that the event reflects the spirit of ‘Virāsat Bhi, Vikas Bhi’—heritage alongside development.
The Chief Minister noted that over 4.2 million visitors visited the Kankaria Lakefront in 2024 and appealed to citizens to help maintain cleanliness. He added that with the inauguration of several development projects alongside the carnival, the event has also taken the form of a “development carnival”.
Reiterating the vision of a Developed India by 2047, Patel stressed the need to make cities more sustainable and citizen-friendly.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 109 public-oriented development projects worth over Rs 526 crore undertaken by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA). These projects span Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad East and West parliamentary constituencies and include works related to civic infrastructure and urban services.
Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibhaben Jain said the Kankaria Carnival was launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister to bring joy and recreation to citizens, a tradition that continues to this day. She noted that this year marks the 16th edition of the carnival, accompanied by development projects worth Rs 526.78 crore.
During the event, the Chief Minister also distributed nutrition kits under the TB-Free India campaign. Mayor Jain paid tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and extended Christmas greetings to citizens.
The opening carnival parade, themed ‘Local to Global’, emerged as a major attraction. The evening concluded with a patriotic light-and-sound show and a cultural performance by renowned folk singer Kirtidan Gadhvi.
Among those present were MPs Hasmukh Patel and Dinesh Makwana, Deputy Mayor Jatin Patel, Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani, city MLAs, AMC Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, AUDA CEO D.P. Desai, senior officials and thousands of citizens, making the opening of Kankaria Carnival 2025 a memorable celebration.
— IANS
