Kites with Canadian flag flood Bathinda markets

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 28

With the craze to study and settle in Canada catching up amongst youngsters, kites with the Canadian national flag have flooded the market in the area, ahead of Basant Panchami. These kites are doing a brisk business in the city and are the centre of attraction for youngsters.

Shopkeepers stated that as the trend of going to Canada is catching up among youths, kite makers are also benefitting from the passion by producing kites with the Canadian flag. Apart from these, kites of various shapes and those presenting characters such as Doraemon, Angry Birds, Mickey Mouse and Bollywood stars are also available.

Even Chinese kites have taken the market by storm. Colourful kites in the shapes of eagle, dragon, butterfly, birds, fish and beetles can be seen in the sky these days.

Even miniature plastic kites are getting a good response. Available in sizes ranging from six inches to 1.5 ft by 1.5 ft, these miniature kites are selling big. Supplied from Jaipur, these kites come in various shapes of popular cartoon characters.

On an average, a kite can be purchased for Rs10. However, kites up to Rs200 and higher are also available in the market.

Manish Kumar, a kite seller, said: “We have kites in various shapes and sizes, ranging from Rs90 to Rs160 per 20 kites. Likewise, we have ‘manjhas’ varying from Rs350 to Rs400 for 3,000 metre and Rs600 to Rs750 for 6,000 metre.”

Vijay Kumar, another kite seller, said: “Waterproof kites are in high demand this season. They survive the chilly and moist weather conditions.”

“The trend of buying kites has survived through the age of electronic gadgets. The craze of flying kites will always be there. Earlier, these were available for Rs5, but now the cost has risen to Rs10 per unit. The only thing that has affected the kite sale is the popularity of Chinese kite flying string as owing to threats posed by the string, parents dissuade children from flying kites.”