Manja Menace: Young Singer Suffers Severe Neck Injury from Banned Nylon Kite String in Pune
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Katraj, 2nd January 2025: A young woman was seriously injured in Pune due to the use of banned nylon kite manjha. She suffered a deep wound on her neck, resulting in extensive bleeding and requiring 12 stitches. The manjha, which is a kite string, is banned in Maharashtra due to the danger it poses to humans and animals. The victim, a professional singer, is finding it difficult to pursue her passion following the incident. The incident occurred in the Katraj area on 21st December 2024.
The injured victim has been identified as Mrigakshi Kulkarni, age 23, a resident of Katraj. She is a student and a professional singer. According to the sequence of events as recounted by her, at around 4:30 PM on 21st December, Mrigakshi was crossing Shankar Maharaj Bridge in the Dhankawadi area near Katraj on a two-wheeler. Suddenly, she felt something on her neck and began suffocating. Upon removing her scarf, she noticed the nylon manjha and a large amount of blood on her hand. Due to the significant blood loss, bystanders quickly rushed her to the hospital.
The manjha is typically such a thin thread that it becomes almost impossible to see. When Mrigakshi was taken to a nearby private hospital, she required a blood transfusion. She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and kept there for two days. She underwent surgery, receiving 4 internal stitches and 8 external stitches. Since then, she has experienced difficulty talking and breathing, in addition to mental trauma.
Being a singer, Mrigakshi is finding it challenging to perform. Sharing her experience with Punekar News, she said, “It was impossible for me to see the manjha. It hurt me a lot. As a singer, this incident has impacted me deeply, not only physically but also mentally. I am currently focusing on recovering from this injury, as it has significantly affected my ability to perform. With my next performance scheduled for January 9th, it’s a race against time for me to successfully recover.”
Mrigakshi added, “During the period of Makar Sankranti, I kindly request everyone to be mindful of this serious situation and take extra care.”
This incident underscores the dangers of kite flying during Makar Sankranti, a mid-January harvest festival in India. The use of banned Chinese manja (glass-coated or metallic strings) remains a serious concern despite legal prohibitions. Prized for its strength in kite-cutting competitions, this razor-sharp thread poses significant risks to humans and birds. Authorities and environmentalists are working to raise awareness and promote safer alternatives, aiming to preserve the festive tradition while ensuring public safety.
