Jan 13, 2011, 07.51am IST
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/They-will-not-fly-kites-for-birds-sake/articleshow/7271777.cms
SURAT: Pradeep Pandya, a travel consultant is a kite freak and celebrates the festival of Uttarayan for the past many years with fun and gusto. After seeing hundreds of birds killed and injured by the killer threads a day after the festival last year, this time he has decided to do away with kites and manja and celebrate the festival savouring undhiyu and jalebis with his family.
"Hundreds of innocent birds either lose their lives or become permanently disabled on the Uttarayan day. Thanks to the kite lovers, who prefer only razor-sharp manja to sustain the war of kites in the open skies. Last year, I saw many birds killed and injured with the killer threads. So, my family and I have decided not to fly kites to save the lives of the innocent birds," said Pandya.
Pandya is not an isolated case. There are quite a few bird lovers in the city who have voluntarily participated in the save the bird campaign by abstaining from kite flying this Uttarayan.
Sagar Dandvate, a real estate developer, said, "Two years ago, a pigeon got entangled in my kite's thread and fell on our terrace. One of its wings was a big cut wound and I had to rush the bird to a rescue camp at Majura gate. Since that day I vowed not to fly kites. This is the second consecutive year and I have decided not to fly kite on Uttarayan."
Another resident Nilesh Patel, a diamond dealer residing in Adajan, said, "Flying kites may be fun for many for a short time, but it is the question of life and death for innocent birds. This year, I have strictly advised my children not to fly kites for the sake of the birds."
The skies in the diamond city are filled with tens of thousands of colourful kites as the residents spend anything between Rs 4 crore and Rs 5 crore on kites and threads.
Public awareness messages are being circulated on cellphones for not using razor-sharp manja during the festival. There are many who are circulating messages regarding the helpline numbers for injured birds and urging the cellphone users to immediately contact on the numbers if they find injured birds on the road.
Kaushik Shah, a bank employee residing in Parle Point, said, "Instead of flying kites, my friend and I have joined as volunteers with one of the bird rescue organisations to save and rescue the injured birds. We are circulating messages to our relatives and friends to inform us when they see any injured bird in their areas."
