Thousands celebrate Basant

The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz group) marked Basant celebrations yesterday by flying kites adorned with pictures of former premier Nawaz Sharif and party president Shahbaz Sharif.

Party workers and supporters gathered at the rooftop of Naushad Hameed's house in Shah Alam. They were carrying kites of all sizes inscribed with pictures of the two leaders.

The event began with a formal go- ahead from local leaders. In no time, numerous colorful kites inundated the sky and the workers started dancing to the tune of drumbeat.

The people in the surrounding areas were amazed to see such a large number of kites in the sky with pictures of the Sharifs.

Among others who participated in the event were Amjad Nazeer But, Haji Arjumand Mehmood, Rana Mohammed Ashraf, Mohammed Ashraf and Chaudhry Zahir Hussain. They said the event was arranged to show solidarity with the exiled leaders.

Besides PML-N workers, thousands of others also celebrated Basant in Lahore, on a perfect day for kite-flying, with bright sunshine and a light breeze.

The festivities had got under way Saturday night, with floodlights illuminating the skies for the traditional 'night flying', using white kites, which is now a major part of Basant.

Drums, film music and trumpets blared out to accompany the kites dotted across the skies as did the loud sound of fire crackers and guns. It was a busy day for Lahore residents.

Parties, festivals and contests also marked the day. In a welcome trend for authorities, while this Basant day is being seen as one of the biggest in years, many restrained from flying kites with metal string, bringing about a decrease in the number of accidents caused by electrocution and keeping power supply in better shape.

Thousands poured into Lahore for the event, and hotels were fully booked as Lahoris enjoyed the most important day in the year for the many kite-flying enthusiasts in the city, with girls dressed in bright yellow for the event as per tradition.