(Kite Flying) ‘Ban relaxed for 24 hours’

[DoYouEverWonder]

January 06, 2007

‘Ban relaxed for 24 hours’

LAHORE: The Punjab government said on Friday that the ban on kite flying would remain in place and it had allowed celebration of the Basant only for 24 hours from the night of Feb 24.

A spokesman for the provincial government “dispelled the impression created by a news item that the Punjab government has lifted the ban on kite flying”.

He said the Supreme Court would also be consulted to adopt a strategy regarding Basant and that all measures would be taken in the light of the court’s decision and instructions in this regard.

http://www.dawn.com/2007/01/06/top6.htm


Wasn't this one of the reasons why W invaded Afghanistan?

[CJCRANE]

1. What's Basant?

And why is kite flying banned?

[svpadgham]

2. My Thoughts As Well

There's not a whole lot of information in the article. It's like "News for Dubya."

[svpadgham]

3. Here's Basant and the Reason for the Ban

Basant and Kite Ban From Wikpedia

[CJCRANE]

5. Thanks, I get it now.

I always assumed the kite ban was some extreme interpretation of Islam but it turns out that its to prevent X-TREEM kite-flying.

[Gman]

11. Wow!

What isn't in Wikipedia?

[krispos42]

13. I updated the Wikipedia article n/t

[Gatchaman]

4. Maybe they're worried about suicide kites?

You know, kites that strap explosives on and detonate themselves when they get tangled up in the string of another kite.

I think fox news calls them "homocide kites".

[physioex]

15. It's not that simple......

You are not seeing it from the cultural perspective. Think of it as a party that goes out of control like the football matches in Europe. People come to the festival doing malicous things like another poster mentioned with kites attached with sharp glass which have seriously injured and killed innocent bystandards. So basically what I am saying is a few hooligans ruin it for everyone else and authorities should try and keep the trouble makers under control. It has nothing to do in Islamic fundamentalism not beleving in kites.

[ozone_man]

6. I think it's the fighter kites.

They can be dangerous, resulting in a number of fatalities in Punjab province.

Kite-flying deaths causing concern

The World Today - Friday, 13 June , 2003 12:39:49
Reporter: Geoff Thompson

PETER CAVE: Every year in India and Pakistan dozens of people are killed by kites, most of them young children. The deaths are caused by special "dog-fighting" kite strings carrying razor-like metal strips and abrasives designed to slice through an opponents string but which can cause severe injury to bystanders and in some cases even decapitation.

In Pakistan alone, five children have died in the last four months and now in Punjab province police have been ordered to treat all such fatalities as murder.

As South Asia Correspondent Geoff Thompson reports.

GEOFF THOMPSON: Flying a kite is meant to be harmless fun and every year in India and Pakistan the onset of spring is celebrated by the riot of colour the kite festivals bring. But in recent years dog-fighting with kites has become hotly competitive, and well, it's all fun and games until somebody loses their life.

Every year the kites cause blackouts when they become entwined with power lines, the kites injure hundreds of birds and there are even reports of cows being killed. The animal deaths are one thing, the growing human toll is quite another.

Every year one or two children have died, but in Pakistan’s Punjab province five children have been killed in just the last four months. The deaths are caused by kite strings being turned into lethal weapons, designed to cut the string of an opponent's kite in a dog-fight. Some strings are laced with metal shards, others are treated with abrasive chemicals.

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2003/s879499.htm

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. Jeez

these folks take their kite flying very seriously.

[outofbounds]

7. Kite battles?

They attach glass fragments to the string I guess to cut the other fellows kite string. Or just to cut other people. Sounds like great wholesome family fun from the roof tops! Throw in some wine or beer to really make it interesting. :party: :sarcasm:

[alfredo]

9. We adapted the contest from cutting the string to

grounding the other kite. It's just as fun.

[outofbounds]

10. It sounds like a lot of fun.

I'm not overly fond of heights but other than that, taking out kites with one of your own seems pretty challenging. The rooftop issue would certainly add to the excitement. The celebration must get pretty hairy if they felt the need to ban it though. Get a group of friends together hit the beach have some fun.

[globalvillage]

12. The Kite Runner

It's an excellent book, and, as the name suggests, goes into detail about kite flying.

It's about much more, though it does have this topic throughout.

[PA Democrat]

17. Yes. It was a great book.

I have heard that they are making a movie based upon the book.

[HuffleClaw]

14. in related news, kite flying is now to be replaced with...

...lawn darts.

[acmavm]

16. Amazing what savage bufoonery the human race can turn any

event or action into, isn't it?