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I have never tried my hand at flying kites but have always enjoyed the sight of a kite flying from a distance. Colourful kites flying against white clouds that stretch across the blue sky used to leave a breezy feel. When a kite got stuck in our terrace, I hurt my thumb and index finger while trying to release it. A bandage later, it was forgotten.

But I was shocked when I read about an incident where a stray manja thread from a snapped kite slit the throat of a 28-year-old motorcyclist. According to the report, the cut proved fatal. Another news item soon appeared. In Thiruvanmiyur, the police arrested some one flying a kite as well as the kite seller. Recently I learnt that manjas used to fly kites, especially in contests, are glued with powdered glass.The very thought of bullfights sends a chill run down the spine.

One feels a punch just with the mention of boxing and wrestling. But who would have thought that the breezy sport of kite flying could prove to be hazardous.

SHARANYA KUMAR IV Year, ECE, Meenakshi Sundararajan Engineering College

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