Ban cos making dangerous kite threads, say sellers

The kite sellers have welcomed the Delhi government’s notification of banning all kinds of sharp kite thread, including the ‘Chinese manjha’, and have also demanded a ban on the companies producing these so that there is no supply in the market.

The shopkeepers in Chandni Chowk’s Lal Kuan market say that similar such orders in the past have not been much effective and come kite-flying festivals, they are “forced” to sell these.

“We had decided not to sell the Chinese manjhas before August 15. But then companies supplying these set up their own stalls in the market and we were making losses. So, then ultimately we also had to sell these,” said Mohd Feroze of Haji Kallu Bhai Patang Wale shop in the Lal Kuan market.

The Delhi government on Tuesday issued a notification banning the nylon kite flying thread, capable of causing fatal injuries to human beings and birds, in the capital and NCR areas.

“First we only heard about animals suffering injuries but now people losing lives have also become common. This should be completely banned,” Feroze said.

The wholesalers in the market name three main companies – Mono Kite, Mono Pil, and IBK Gold – which produce the sharp thread and penetrate into the markets of Delhi. They say that though these are Bangalore-based companies, they operate from Noida.

“There is nothing Chinese about them, they are produced in India only. Since it is banned in states like Rajasthan and Punjab, wholesalers from there come to Delhi to buy these.

If the government will cut the source (companies) from where these manjhas are coming, we won’t be forced to sell them,” said Himanshu Gupta of Bishan Chand and Sons.
The wholesalers are also hoping for some profits after the notification as the Bareilly manjha, a handmade cotton manjha, is costlier than Chinese manjha.

Usually, while one cone of a 5,000-metre Chinese thread costs Rs 100, the same length of cotton reel comes for a price of Rs 400.

“We are facing losses since Chinese manjha entered the market. We prefer selling cotton manjha when people come to buy but most of them demand sharp threads because cotton one is made from rice flour and masalas and break easily,” said Gupta.