Colourful kites dot Delhi skies on I-Day

NEW DELHI - Kites of various colours, shapes and sizes dotted Delhi skies Sunday as thousands of people, young and old, flew kites to celebrate the 64th Independence Day.

The fervour was at peak at many places of Old Delhi — Chandni Chowk, Darya Ganj and Dariba Kalan - where people climbed their roof tops as early as 7 a.m. and competed passionately with other kite flyers in their neighbourhood.

“Every Independence Day I along with my younger brother fly kites. It has now become a tradition in my family and we never miss it on any Independence Day and Republic Day,” said Saeed Anwar, 30, who lives in Chandni Chowk.

At several places in the city, kite flying competitions were held and professional kite flying clubs took part in it.

“We divide ourselves in groups and than compete with each other. Believe me it is so thrilling and this goes on for hours. Today (Sunday) the weather was really good and it did not rain like last year,” said Amit Jain, 23, a student from Darya Ganj.

For many, kite flying on the Independence Day is also a way to meet their old friends.

“For the last 30 years, I have been flying kites on every Independence Day along with my friends. Each one of us makes sure not to miss the event as it is full of fun. We buy over a dozen kites, all in tricolour, and enjoy a lot,” said Shahzad Khan, 40, a resident of Chandni Chowk.

However, the elderly in the Capital who have spent several decades carrying on the tradition of kite flying on this day feel that the younger generation is not that enthusiastic about it.

“Very few young people are interested in kite flying as they like playing computer games. They hardly step out of their houses to play any outdoor games and this is really sad,” said Swaraj Gupta, a 60-year-old resident of Lajpat Nagar in South Delhi.