The Dark Side of Kite Flying: How Harmful Manjha Threatens Life Every Makar Sankranti
By Harleena Jain
Pune, 14th January 2026: Makar Sankranti is a festival that celebrates renewal, prosperity, and gratitude toward nature and the Sun God (Surya). Across India, thousands of people gather on terraces, rooftops, and open grounds to fly kites, filling the skies with colour and cheer. Yet beneath the joy of soaring kites lies a hidden, often overlooked danger — one that affects both humans and wildlife.
Every year, countless birds and several people suffer fatal or life-threatening injuries from razor-sharp manjha, the thread used for kite flying. While some injuries occur unknowingly, a significant portion is caused by deliberate use of pakka manjha, often referred to as Chinese manjha. This thread is stronger, more abrasive, and far more dangerous than ordinary cotton or nylon. Some kite enthusiasts even coat the string with a paste made from glue and finely crushed glass, making it capable of slicing through feathers, skin, and even throats — all in the pursuit of keeping their kite airborne.
“Just so your kite stays in the sky, someone else may lose their life,” says an animal welfare activist. The statement underscores the deadly consequences of a festival meant to celebrate life and community.
Awareness and education efforts by animal welfare groups have increased over the years, yet harmful manjha continues to be manufactured and sold across India, particularly in smaller towns. Even in larger cities, many people remain unaware of the risks. Despite a legal ban on glass-coated manjha, enforcement is weak, and its sale continues largely unregulated.
Government involvement is crucial to address the issue effectively. Experts and activists stress the need for public awareness campaigns, regular inspections, and stricter enforcement to ensure a permanent ban on dangerous manjha varieties. Meanwhile, pakka manjha remains readily available in stores, highlighting the disconnect between festival celebration and public safety.
Makar Sankranti is a time to celebrate life, community, and the bounty of harvests. But until awareness and regulation catch up, the festival’s skies will continue to hold both joy and danger — a stark reminder that a moment of fun should never come at the cost of life.
