BASANT is the festival that indicates the beginning of spring which is celebrated every February. People fly kites made in a variety of colours, sizes and shapes. The kites are flown using thread embedded with ground glass to cut the threads of kites of other competitors. A festival that is supposed to bring joy and happiness is pitted with hazards.

When the ground-glass-enriched thread attached to kites touches electricity cables, they could cause the tripping of electricity and fluctuations resulting in damage to household appliances.

Moreover, exuberant youth trying to retrieve kites stuck on electricity poles have died of electrocution. Even more dangerous are the incidents of motorcyclists suffering grievous injuries from the killer string attached to stray kites slitting throats.

Some people also indulge in aerial firing which is a dangerous past time because on many occasions stray bullets or ricochets have taken people’s lives.

To eradicate such practices people need to correct their irresponsible behaviour. The government must introduce strict rules for everyone and implement them. Moreover, media should create awareness among people to always think safety. Basant is a joyful festival let’s keep it that way.

Kiran Fatima
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2020