Rumpy Madaan
Kites have a very ancient Kite tradition. Most people believe that kites were brought into India by Chinese traveler FHien and Huin Tsang .The symbolism of this festival is to show the awakening of Gods from their deep sleep. Though in Indian history it is said that Kite flying tradition was started from Royalties and later followed by Nawabs who found the sport entertaining, over the years it became a public sport.
Most popular among them is international kite festival that takes place in Gujarat, which takes place on 14TH January. The festival is called Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti . It becomes a public holiday. This International festival was first celebrated in 1989 and people from across the globe participated. In the recent 2012 event, the international kite festival was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Mr. Narinder Modi in the presence of Governor Dr. Kamla.
In Jammu, Kite flying is an important part of the celebration of Raksha Bandhan and Shri Krishana Janmashtami
The Kite is called a ‘guddi’ and the string attached to it is called ‘dor’ or ‘manjha’. Crowded roof tops and fun loving rivalry to out do each other sounds like fun and harmless sport. The trouble is that who so ever has seen the kite runner, knows that kite flying can be extremely competitive and cut throat.
KILLER KITES
The killer kites use glass coated manjha to sever their competitor’s strings. Their other causalities include Birds wings and breasts and even human throats. Every year bird sanctuaries are called to assist thousands of pigeons, cows, Owls, hawks and other birds who have been badly maimed. Pedestrians and people riding on bicycles and scooters have also been injured and even killed. 5 people including 2 children, were killed and nearly 250 people injured in one state alone during previous Makar Sankranti .To make matters worse the Chinese made plastic manjha has joined the gang, Making kite flying a National Hazard to Humans, Birds and Environment.
The Chinese manjha may have come from china, but it is said to be made in India. Bad enough that it is used, but worse when abandoned in branches of the trees either when cut, or when kite flying for the day is over. The birds do not notice it and in an effort to escape from its clutches, flap their wings in panic and the manjha cuts deeper all the while, resulting in painful amputation and death. If manjha hits an electricity pole it can easily transmit electricity because the kite strings would have positively gathered moisture and be damp, more likely wet, and worse it contains metal. In January 2014 in Nagpur, a man who was riding a scooter that too without helmet on, suddenly bled to death after his neck was slashed with manjha.
Many NGOs have taken up the issue. In 2009-2010 it was banned in cities like Chennai and Mumbai, But Gujarat”2010 Uttarayan went ahead with kites battling in the sky. Five humans and hundreds of birds also battled for their lives and died.
In 2011 manjha for flying kites was banned in Ludhiana, Jagraon and Khanna rural districts of Punjab. Also a day after Makar Sankranti that year , police banned the sale and use of Chinese kite- strings in Amritsar city and district, because it was responsible for the death of a person and nearly half a dozen were injured by it.
Similarly, in Jaipur 250 kite flying accidents occurred in 2011- 30 of which mainly were children. 81 birds were rescued whereas 16 died due to manjha injuries, however manjha did not spare some critically endangered species like white backed vultures-eight were injured around Ahmadabad. And at Bhavnagar twenty painted storks died due to Chinese manjha
2014 Uttarayan resulted in 1904 injured and 490 dead birds at Ahmedabad alone. In 2015 Gujarat reported 2789 mishaps related to kite flying. One person died in Amraiwadi, after he slipped and fell trying to avoid manjha coming his way. In fact 76 road accidents, 22 cases of assault, 21 slit throats and 38 cases of falling off the terraces, while flying kites were reported from Ahmadabad.
The ban of Chinese thread has already been put on the table. The Govt. is yet to take action on it. It will take time. Manjha ban has also been put forward by PETA. It is a matter that involves the Govt. since it would involve shutting down factories and shops, which also leads to unemployment and human rights issues. so we need to keep pushing the matter with the Government. Hopefully in a few years , the ban will be implemented. The Govt. will have to give compensation to families who lose their factories and business due to this ban.
Awareness and action
If we leave the legalities of the issue on hand and think about the harm this killer manjha is going to do to the humans and birds alike this coming festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Janamastami. Let’s join hands to make this festival free from harm and injuries say no to this killer thread or chinese plastic manjha and use cotton threads to fly kites and celebrate this kite festival in Jammu and Kashmir. Motivate your fiends not to buy this lethal kite flying thread.
Kite safety
Whether you are flying alone or in a busy park, it is good to remember the 3 C’s of kite safety, caution, courtesy, and common sense.
Parks and playgrounds can be crowded, with many different activities competing for space. it is each kite flier’s responsibility to fly safely.
Consideration of others
Do not fly very close to or over roads where drivers could be distracted.
do not fly noisy kites in crowded places
Be careful not to scare animals, particularly horses with riders.
Be careful not to fly where you might scare nesting birds.
Use cotton thread for flying kite and avoid killing helpless birds and humans.
Kite lines conduct electricity so do not fly near overhead power lines.
Let Kite flying be a Fun as it used to be in old days , say no to Killer Kites .Its better to be safe than sorry,
Little compassion in your heart can Save so many lives this kite Season.
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