Makar Sankranti is a Hindu harvest festival celebrated across India each January to mark the Sun’s transit into the zodiac sign Makara (Capricorn) and the beginning of longer days. The day is often dedicated to Surya, the sun god, with various regional customs including holy baths, food sharing, and community events. Kite flying, especially popular in states like Gujarat (where the festival is known as Uttarayan), Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, has become a prominent symbol of this seasonal transition. Cities such as Ahmedabad host large kite gatherings, including the International Kite Festival, attracting participants from across India and abroad.
Flying kites during Makar Sankranti symbolizes several ideas, from welcoming the sun and the warmer season to social cohesion and joyful competition among participants. Historically, kite flying began as a festive pastime but has grown into a major cultural expression associated with community celebrations.
Traditionally, kite strings (manja) were made of cotton, often coated with natural adhesives. However, over recent decades, synthetic and glass-coated strings known as Chinese manja or “Chinese dor” have become widely used during kite flying competitions. These strings are coated with powdered glass or metal to increase their cutting ability, especially in competitive kite fights where participants try to cut the strings of others.
The strength and sharpness of Chinese manja make it more hazardous than traditional cotton thread. It is non-biodegradable, retains sharp edges, and can stay suspended in the air or remain on poles, cables, and trees after festivities, posing risks to people, animals, and infrastructure.
Due to risks associated with Chinese manja, several Indian cities and regions have issued bans or prohibitory orders on its sale, storage, and use during the Makar Sankranti season under public safety laws.
In Indore, a man named Raghuvir Dhakad died when a stray Chinese manja slit his throat while riding his motorcycle on Sunday; this marked at least the second fatality in the area linked to the string this season. A companion sustained neck injuries from a similar incident.
In Gurdaspur, a young motorcyclist suffered serious cuts to his forehead, nose, and eyebrow after contact with a razor-sharp kite string as he was riding to collect medicine. Hospital treatment involved multiple stitches.
In Ludhiana, at least four people, including an eight-year-old boy were seriously injured by Chinese manja within last week, with one individual requiring about 30 stitches after deep cuts across the head and neck.
Such injuries often occur when people on two-wheelers, pedestrians, or bystanders come into contact with low-hanging or loose sections of the glass-coated string, which can act like a razor wire due to its high tensile strength.
Police and local authorities have responded with intensified crackdowns, including seizures of banned string stock and arrests of those involved in its sale, as part of preventive measures ahead of the festival.
Beyond human safety, Chinese manja presents environmental hazards. The sharp threads can entangle and injure birds and wildlife, leading to wounds, broken wings, or death. Local animal welfare groups have documented thousands of bird injuries during kite festivals in previous years, demonstrating the broader ecological impact of hazardous kite strings.
Public safety advisories during the Makar Sankranti period emphasize careful kite flying practices:
Preference for cotton or biodegradable kite strings over synthetic glass-coated varieties.
Awareness of loose kite strings on roads, rooftops, and power lines that can cause contact injuries or electrocution if they touch electrical infrastructure.
Protective gear or clothing for riders passing under kite flying areas to reduce injury risks.
Kite flying remains a vibrant and culturally significant tradition associated with Makar Sankranti, particularly in regions like Gujarat and northern India. However, the use of banned, sharp synthetic kite strings (Chinese manja) has been linked to serious injuries and fatalities for people and wildlife.
