Ferozepur residents celebrate Basant Panchami with abandon

Our Correspondent

Ferozepur, January 30

The overcast sky failed to dampen the spirit of kite fliers, who had come here today from various parts of the world in huge numbers to celebrate Basant Panchami in this border town.

People were flying kites since morning amidst drum beats and loud music. Relatives and friends of city residents had come from far-flung places to celebrate the festival here.

Deepak Dhawan, a Canada-based NRI, said he came here every year, along with his family, to celebrate the festival. “There is no place like Ferozepur to celebrate Basant Panchami,” he said.

Sources said the festival generated business worth in crores in the border town, which was otherwise considered economically backward.

However, people felt disappointed, as the state government had failed to curb the use of china-made strings, which had led to many mishaps in the past. Case in point is Sarvan Singh, a resident of the city area, who got bruises on his neck because of the string. Also, Karamjit Singh, a resident of Bhure Kalan village, got injured yesterday. He was admitted in the Civil Hospital where he received twelve stitches on his face.

SSP Vivek Sheel Soni said the police had booked few shopkeepers for selling the banned string, besides seizing the china-made strings.

Deepak Sharma of Mayank Foundation said: “In the recent years, the festival had lost its essence due to the use of china-made string. Not just humans, even animals and birds have to suffer due to the plastic-made string.”

Congress MLA Parminder Singh Pinki, along with Deputy Commissioner Chander Gaind and SSP Vivek Sheel Soni, celebrated the festival of kites with country-made string. Pinki said the festival gave a message of communal harmony and brought the families together. The DC said the administration was mulling over a proposal to organise Basant Utsav to boost tourism in this part of the state.