Kites helping Raipurians to kill boredom

Kamal Hemnani selling kites below the Pili building at Fafadih. (

By Kirit Joshi :

RAIPUR,

KITE, traditionally known as ‘Patang’ has generated immense popularity among families searching for new medium of fun and entertainment amidst the ongoing lockdown in Raipur city. Since outdoor sports has presently become a visualisation of the past and indoor games attained a ‘boring’ status, flying of kites has involved each and every member of the family with fiesta and thrill on the roof top during evening till the sunset. Enjoying the adventure of flying kites and skillful maneuvering to cut others kites, Raipur, Sadar Bazar-based Omprakash Soni said, “The colourful kites on the skies remind me of my childhood days. People of Raipur have gone back by 50 years when the skyline was dotted by colourful kites of all shapes and sizes in city.

With the announcement of summer vacation, the preparations of ‘Manja’, the special thread with powdered glass and other fixing materials use to be ready and the fun of different verities of kite flying touched the peak”. Soni further said that while the kites use to be seen in the Raipur sky after summer vacation and continued till Dussehra. Remembering the memorable old days, Soni said that kites and ‘Manja’ were sold by Haldhar Maharaj at Chudi Line, Nayapara near Maharaja Rana Pratap School in city. Sharing the success of part his time business of selling kites and special threads, a fast food stall owner Kamal Hemnani said, “I was surprised by large number of colourful kites flying in the sky after a long time.

Moreover, younger generation was seen rushing to different localities for purchasing kites. Thus with no sellers in Fafadih area, I visited the market and purchased kites for Rs 700 which unexpectedly got sold out in two hours”. Started with an objective of spare time business under lockdown, Kamal said that he was the first to sell kites in the Fafadih areas near Pili Building, and presently sells kites and related thread of Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 daily.

The rice of kite starts from Rs 5 to Rs 40 while the thread ‘Chakri’ is sold between Rs 100 to Rs 1,500. After witnessing good response received by me, around 12-15 persons are selling kites etc in and around the area, he added. Kamal said, “The fast food business was shut down due to lockdown and no work in hand, finally a low investment business of selling kites clicked into a profitable spare time trade.”