Lahore takes full advantage of two-week relaxation on kite flying

Lahore: The first Sunday of the 15-day relaxation, given by the Supreme Court for kite-flying, was celebrated throughout Lahore like a 'Mini-Basant' by the general public, especially in the walled city area.

The merry-makers had made elaborate arrangements yesterday to celebrate the basant. Rooftops were decorated with colourful lights and music systems were set up.

The sky was dotted with colourful kites not only throughout Sunday but even the previous night. The kite-flyers shouted "Bo Kata" on the rooftops and on grounds, parks and roads. The merry-makers thronged the public parks and open places of the city for kite competition.

A large number of "kite-looters" was also seen on the city roads after a long time. Youngsters carrying long sticks tied with rough wires caught stray kites throughout the day.

To celebrate Basant, a large number of merry-makers from abroad and other districts of the country have booked rooms, roofs and halls in main city hotels, restaurants and rest houses.

Interestingly, trumpeters were very happy over the lifting of ban on kite flying for 14 days because this will provide them an opportunity to earn handsome amounts as revellers hire them to celebrate the kite flying festival with fervour.

Kite and string business picked up after the relaxation, as people of the Walled City, Mozang, Ichhra, Chahmiran, Shad Bagh, Badami Bagh, Ravi Road, Kareem Park several localities near Bund Road celebrated "Mini Basant".

The Lahore city district government had registered more than 1,000 manufactures, sellers and dealers of kites and string during the first day of the concession period on Saturday.

Extraordinary rush was witnessed outside the shops of kite and string manufacturers in Lahore.

While on the other hand, tension and anxiety gripped those citizens who have nothing to do with this lethal sport.

They have made arrangements, with motorcyclists fixing multiple protectors including long wires on their bikes, for their safety. At the same time, the Lahorites kept facing the agony of power tripping yesterday due to kite flying.

The police miserably failed to check the sporadic use of metallic twine, tandi and sharp Maanjha in the city despite ban on their use.

The city district government Lahore officials say no action could be taken because there was no clear mechanism of checking metallic wire and chemical coated threads.