The “killer cord” of the kite has severed the “breathing cord” of many human beings. (Photo: File)
There was little time left for Iftar, Asif wanted to break Iftar with his mother, so he was riding his bike fast to his home when suddenly he felt something hit his throat and felt a sharp pain. Asif fell off the bike, bearing his pain he tried to get up, but his mind was fading and his eyes were getting dark.
People passing by on the road were running towards him. In just a few seconds, Asif’s entire clothes were covered in blood. Before anyone could understand, he staggered and fell. The string of Asif’s life was severed by a kite’s “ruthless killer string”.
Those who make “bocata” noises when a kite is cut are silent when a human throat is cut. Such incidents are happening daily in the country, but kite flying enthusiasts are not stopping.
Kite flying has been an interesting pastime. In the vastness of the blue sky, with white, fluffy, gray clouds, the colorful kites fluttering in the wind attract everyone’s attention. This sport is also very popular in Pakistan, but for some time now kite flying has been repeatedly banned by the government. The main reason for banning a hobby like kite flying is the “killer cord” that has cut off the “breathing cord” of countless people. This killer kite string across Pakistan has not only seriously injured dozens of people and left them speechless forever, but many people have also lost their lives due to this string.
In view of the accidents due to kite flying, this year also a ban on kite flying was imposed by the government, but no significant results could be found and not only this hobby continued but many accidents were also reported. The death rate from kite strings is highest in Punjab.
Since the beginning of this year, reports of several people being injured due to strings around their necks came to light through the media. Although the “Anti-Kite Act” is also there, when has any law in Pakistan been implemented according to its spirit? Anti-kite teams are active in cracking down on kite flyers, but their operations are limited to rounding up innocent children and reprimanding them.
According to the spokesperson of Punjab Police, 2855 cases have been registered and 2991 people have been arrested in just one month for violating the Kite Flying Prohibition Act. After this recent incident in Faisalabad, the police arrested 512 people involved in kite flying within twenty-four hours, and around sixty thousand kites, seven hundred strings and spinning wheels were also recovered. According to the Punjab Police, a total of more than 100,000 kites have been confiscated and cases have been registered during the last one month.
But despite this, no positive results could come out. What is the reason why there is no crackdown on kite makers with metal strings and kites? How will kitesurfers participate in the sport when kites and killer metal strings are not available in the market? But here too, Gatga, despite banning Mawa, does not impose any restrictions on their makers and everyone is given free rein for “top earning”.
It is a matter of thinking that how did this interesting hobby of kite flying become a blood sport? After all, why are the reports of human deaths from kite flying coming out? Even just two decades ago, kite flying and basant enjoyed the status of a cultural sport. With the arrival of February in Pakistan’s Punjab province, special kite flying was organized to welcome spring and celebrate Basant. But with the passage of time not only the sport came to be declared as “unlawful” but several illegal methods and the use of illegal strings used in kite flying also paved the way for the banning of this hobby.
Kite players use a metal string that is mixed with various chemicals to knock down others and cut their kites. As a result, the string does not break easily and this string also becomes a source of strangulation for pedestrians or people riding in motorcycles and open vehicles. Manja made of glass shards, nylon and metal strings and chemically treated strings are as sharp as a knife edge. When a kite with such a string is cut, the string inevitably falls down, which the kite-flyer pulls quickly, making it nothing less than a sword to a pedestrian or motorcyclist in its path.
Motorcyclists should use a protective flexible rod in front of the bike to avoid this killer kite string.
Considering the number of deaths caused by kite flying, the government’s decision to ban kite flying should be applauded. But wouldn’t it have been better to have banned these factors instead of depriving the public of an exciting pastime, turning it into a “killer sport”? Every game has some rules and regulations, so shouldn’t the government have formulated some rules for kite flying? Instead of banning kite flying, it should have been banned the illegal chemical laced metal strings which are causing such accidents. Size restriction and string quality should be set for kites. Special areas should be allocated for kite flying. Kite flying should be prohibited in areas where there is a risk of accidents.
Apart from the government, it is also the duty of the people to let this hobby remain a game and not create trouble for anyone. Do not do anything that may cause an accident. Parents should also teach their children and keep an eye on them. And most importantly, kitesurfers should not use strings that lead to accidents.
Note: Express News and its policy do not necessarily agree with the views of this blogger.
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