Residents pledge not to use sharp kite strings

Jalandhar, January 12

As the city is sinking into the joyful celebrations of Lohri, a girl dressed as a bird entangled in sharp kite-flying string (manja) caught the attention of every person crossing her at a mall here this afternoon.

Coated with blood this ‘People for The Ethical Treatment (PETA)’ activist was holding a signage in the shape of a kite that read, “Cut out glass-coated manja, not wings,” clearly indicating how a number of birds were caught under these dangerous flying threads and got killed. To bring an empathy and conscience among the city residents about the issue, the PETA, in collaboration with Pahal, a city-based NGO, organised this campaign and urged passers-by to use manja-free ‘kind kites’.

The initiative turned out to be an effective emotional drive and people after learning about the cause pledged not to use such strings.

“These deadly and fatal strings hurt and kill both humans and birds”, said Ayushi Sharma, campaign assistant. “Many birds and humans are reported to have developed serious injuries by these strings. Therefore people should neither use synthetic manjas nor glass-coated cotton manjas that are available in the market as they are equally dangerous,” she added and alarmed the crowd present there.

Lately, the PETA has also submitted a petition in the Supreme Court against the issue and are in the process of banning these manjas.

Meanwhile, Sandeep Rawat, the mall manager, also expressed concern about the birds. Besides, he urged the youngsters present there to spread the message in social media so as to render this effort a widespread reach. Residents after confronting the issue and realising that thousands of birds are killed every year when they are cut or trapped by kite strings expressed worries.

Kasak, a resident of Bhagat Singh Colony, said the data presented by the PETA was shocking. Deepa, another volunteer said, “We should support this demonstration and authorities should take strict action against those selling the strings.”