Beyond just seasonal fun
FLYING HIGH
Delhi is home to around 145 kite clubs which actively indulge in kite flying 
For most people in the City, kite flying is an activity to indulge in around the Independence Day. But, for some, it flows in their veins. For 42-year-old milk seller Mohammed Ishaq, kite flying is more than just a hobby.
Captain of Indian Kite Club, which was established in 1962, the club with its six members is a registered kite club with Delhi Kite Flying Association. “I have been heading Indian Kite Club for the last 22 years. Most members here have been around for the last 15 years,” says Mohammed.
In their late 40s, these club members come from different walks of life and despite that, manage to take out time for their passion of kite flying. “We meet almost every evening and fly kites. For the past 12 years, we have been going outside Delhi to cities like Lucknow and Kolkata to indulge in some kite flying competitions,” he shares.
The City is home to around 150 kite clubs with more than 1,000 members, including women, who compete among themselves on a daily or weekly basis. “These clubs compete almost every day and often fly kites in Old Delhi, Wazirabad, Nirankari colony and Okhla on Sundays,” Mohammed adds.
One of the club members, Umar Daraz, makes and sells kites, not just to Indian customers but international buyers too. His kites are a great hit among local and foreign buyers. “Kites, specially fancy ones sell like hot cakes, not just around the Independence Day but throughout the year. I make kites for my club, but we also get kites from Lucknow, which offer the best ones,” he shares.
The kite maker, who has participated in several national and international kite festivals, says that his wife and six children are also involved into this business. “I sell over 1,000 fancy kites every year to countries like England, Japan, Russia, France. Interestingly, maximum demand for big and fancy kites comes from England,” says Umar, who learnt kite making and flying from his father.
