It takes eight to 10 men to control the 1,000-kg circular kite of the One India Kite team. Founder of the team Abdulla Maliyekkal was quite apprehensive when he gave the reins of the kite to a group of women . His apprehension was not misplaced considering how the women struggled with it initially, but it gave way to happiness watching the first professional all-women kite team in the country take form.

The team named ‘Incredible India’ was launched on the Kozhikode beach on Sunday, on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Training in style

Supported by their parent group One India Kite Team, the women who have undergone training in the nuances of kite flying, took off in style flying the Circular kite and the Kathakali kite amidst the curious Sunday crowd on the beach. “This is the most relaxing experience I have ever had. Controlling a kite is not child’s play. It takes great coordination and team work. Hence while flying the kites, we forget everything else,” said Mini Nair, team captain.

The team now plans to take part in kite festivals across the country and abroad where they plan to present some kites of their own.

As part of the launch of the women’s team, the One India Kite Team, in association with the women’s wing of Junior Chamber International, Calicut, had organised a kite-flying training programme for women, which was attended by 25 women. “The training was given by expert kite flyers Abdulla Maliyekkal, Hashim Kadakkalakam and Shyam Padman.

source: http:// www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Kerala / by Aabha Anoop / March 09th, 2015