Gandhinagar: As Makar Sankranti approaches this year, the markets in Gujarat are flooded with beautiful and colourful kites sold in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his popularised political slogans. People from all over the country flock to them in huge numbers.

The Gujarat government also celebrates this festival with great pomp and splendour.

Many types of kites are being sold in the market across the state during this time.

Kites sold in markets all over the state also carry social messages, including slogans popularised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, such as “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,” “Swachhata Abhiyan,” etc.

The impact of PM Modi is also visible in Gujarat, where there is a huge surge in demand for PM Modi-printed manhats and kites.

The kite-flying festival in the state has become a major attraction every year, and people not only enjoy themselves by celebrating the occasion together with their families but also propagate social messages.

A Local shopkeeper, Keriwala, told IANS: “This year, the market is moving at a slow pace compared to previous years. People are buying fewer kites. I am hopeful that people will buy a lot of kites on Saturday or Sunday.”

He further added: “Although there is a demand for several types of colourful kites, for the last few days, people have not been buying kites in huge numbers as is normally seen. Apart from this, a charkha with Prime Minister Modi’s name is also seen in the market. People are showing interest in buying this charkha.”

Another local shopkeeper told IANS: “Prime Minister Modi’s charkha has just arrived in the market. There is a huge surge in demand for it among people who are buying kites. I have sold 50,000 Modi Charkhas so far. Kejriwal’s Charkhi is in less demand than PM Modi’s Charkhi, which is being sold in large numbers across the state. This is because of PM Modi’s popularity and connection with the people across the state and the country.”

Another shopkeeper, Dilip Kumar, told IANS: “Apart from kites and charkhas, my shop has also started selling automatic charkhas. There is a lot of demand for them. People’s enthusiasm ahead of Makar Sankranti seems to increase with each passing day.”