Delhi: Sellers nervous as kite flying losing popularity
However, many of them admit that the kite flying scene is on a decline in the national capital, especially among the younger generation.
New Delhi: With Independence Day approaching, the streets of Lal Kuan near Jama Masjid are flooded with kites and kite sellers. However, what is on the wane is the number of kite enthusiasts.
True to their schedule, most of the kite makers come to this famous old Delhi market three months before August 15 every year, hoping to make the most out of the kite-flying season in Delhi. However, many of them admit that the kite flying scene is on a decline in the national capital, especially among the younger generation.
“People are losing their interest in flying kites. Children are into mobile phones and laptops. The craze among the people is vanishing day by day,” said Mr Saddam Khureshi, the owner of Pappu ji Patang Wale, which was started by his grandfather 50 years ago. The family keeps traveling to different states of the country, depending on the kite season, to earn their living.
The paper of the kite is brought from Agra and the bamboo stick attached to it from the woods in Kolkata, which then goes to the factory for production. Another kite seller in the market, Mr Mohammad Ahlaf, said that not many takers are left for this traditional outdoor activity. “We are worried as the business is not doing very well. This was a serious business a few years ago. But now youngsters are more interested in sitting indoors with their mobile phones or laptops rather than indulging in kite-flying,” he said.
Last year, two children and a youth died on Independence Day as the Chinese kite string (manja), coated with powdered glass, slit their throats in Delhi. in separate incidents in.prompting the Delhi government to finally ban the killer thread. Hence, now the cotton made kite string (manja), supplied from Bareilly to these shopkeepers in Lal Kuan, is sold and used more.