THE lifting of the ban on kite-flying by the Supreme Court for a period of 14 days will be counted as a blessing by many, especially those whose livelihood depends on the economic activity generated by the Basant festival in Punjab. The need now is to scrupulously observe the rules of the game, as set by the apex court. The order passed by the full bench says that kite-flying may be permitted, provided sharp, glass-coated threads and metal string are not used. It directs the inspectors-general to monitor the kite-flying activity and submit a daily report; if the use of hazardous material is not curbed and casualties are reported, the court shall review its decision on the lifting of the ban. Last year, Basant festivities claimed 17 lives in Punjab; most deaths occurred as a result of sharp thread cutting throats and kite enthusiasts falling from rooftops. In Lahore, where the highest number of casualties took place, the frenzy gripping the merrymakers during the festivities also involved aerial firing on a large scale. It is such excessive acts of indulgence that negate the norms of responsible conduct and should be curbed. The Lahore Electric Supply Company also suffered heavy losses owing to the use of metal strings which knocked out power as frequently as over 500 times a day. Since the imposition of the ban on the sport this year, which only a daring few continue to flout, Lesco has recorded less than 100 power outages a day in the city, significantly reducing the damage suffered by the utility on account of kite-flying.
Like they say, a sport should remain a sport and not become a public safety hazard or a social nuisance. It is now the responsibility of all stake-holders — the kite and thread manufacturers, the enthusiasts and the law enforcement agencies — to ensure that kite-flying is done in a decent and safe manner during the stipulated 14 days. The people need, and they enjoy, popular festivals like Basant, but there can be no justification for the deadly sting that came to be attached to the celebrations in recent years.
A sport yet immensenly dangerous, i fail to understand why can’t punjab government ban this permanently or atleast held this basant event in an open ground so that ppl shouldn’t be falling of roof tops and high places.
14 days ban, of which i don’t know how many was respected and as soon as the ban lifted a guy throat was slit while he was on a moter bike
Yesterday, a boy while chasing a kite got hit by a train on the railway tracks.
What do you people see in this sport that can’t let ppl forego this deadly sport ?
it’s basant time :shoaby: … wish if could be lahore …
( i just like to watch all the glitz n glamour that comes with it, but i’m personally against the way people risk their lives just for the sake of a sport )
so this year if there are any losses of life and any other losses due to this stupid even then the courts should be blamed for it.
all the money thas spent could just be gathered and given to the poor and help the needy rather than for the courts to allow it and waste money on stupid things.
i ask what the hell is the benifit or what good do u gain from this event / stupidity apart from wasting time, money, electric and lives and wasting shareef ppls sleep?
^
That's just theories. Basant means Bahar/Spring in Sanskrit (a Paki language) and the kite flying is simply to celebrate the season.. Nothing to do with religion.
NW Indians celebrate it too because they're the same as us.
You can't deprive people of their traditions and heritage just like that.
If people are getting killed then that's their problem, they should be more careful or not participate.
Banning sharp Dor's kind of deafeats the purpose because I can't imagine anyone being able to cut the other persons Dor without that...
Its not only those who participate that get killed. Ordinary people on cycles and motor cycles have gotten killed by sharp Dor that sliced their throats.
Moreover, these Dors get entangled in electricity wires and cause shortcircuiting and fire.
I personally witnessed once in Shahalmi Market a DOR entangled in electric wires, caused spark and fire stared in the cloth shop underneath. The fire subsequently burned 5 shops.
The cultural thing is not acceptable if it innocent people get killed. Those few thousand who want to spend Basant without caring for innocent lives, shud get these kites shoved up their arses.
basant causes far more harm then it does good, anyways, basant should be done away with, its part of a paganistic culture which punjabies still seem to celebreate, no clue why though.
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