Rawalpindi: Concern over plan to lift ban on ‘basant’

[Naveed Yaseen]

Noor Aftab
With the provincial government reportedly pondering over lifting ban on ‘basant’ festival the people especially belonging to lower or middle strata of the society seem quite perturbed as the kites which otherwise look harmless often end up taking several lives due to the use of chemical-coated strings.

“If the concerned authorities are not able or have any wish to control the manufacturing of deadly sharp and metal string then there is no need to grant permission for ‘basant’. We should change our behaviour and must not endanger the lives of people just for the sake of our transit happiness,” said Muhammad Raza who used to annually organise ‘basant’ activities at his home in the past.

According to some reports there had been some serious arguments between the Shahbaz-led administration and the Governor House over lifting of ban on ‘basant’ activities with former strictly opposing any such permission that can endanger the lives of the common people.

Nadia Zahoor, a housewife living in Sadiqabad, said the rich never feel the pain and grief associated with the ‘basant’ festival. No ‘basant’ activities be allowed unless we act like a civilised human beings, because “If we do not care about others while celebrating an event then we should not have any right for any such celebration that deprives people of their dear ones.”

The ‘basant’ was officially banned in 2005 when numbers of people in various cities including Rawalpindi lost their lives due to metallic or chemical-coated string (killer string) that can even cut instantly through the flesh like a sharp-edged weapon.

“The kites are often responsible for a host of other problems such as the breakdown in power supply and loss of life due to use of extremely dangerous twine. Aerial firing and use of firecrackers is another factor of disturbance for the society in general,” said Aasia Khan, a teacher at the government higher secondary school.

It is generally seen that in absence of any real recreational opportunities, the people take whatever they get and take it to such a dangerous level that someone has to pull the plug and shut the whole thing down completely.

“Losing a tremendous part of the culture is apparently better for the people than acting like responsible citizens. It is certainly not momentous to welcome the spring season with barren skies and empty hearts,” said Imran Malik, a student of a local university.

He said, “Pakistanis have nothing to enjoy right now with financial constraints increasing day by day and sports facing distinction and now the time has come when we have almost lost our beloved cricket that has really been a strong recreation provider in the country.”

The public opinion has certainly changed about the concept of ‘basant’, which was once the most awaited annual festival that always brought happiness and pleasure but negative trends ‘killed’ this sport and deprived the people of one of their most loving domestic festivals.

“We are such kind of people that are really consistent in our inconsistencies. I may not be able to claim that we will avoid doing such things that endanger the lives of other people on the occasions like ‘basant’. But I certainly wish that the government should devise a strategy to enable people enjoy the ‘basant’ festival without having any fear of killer string,” said Rashida Yaqoob, a working woman.

Some were of the opinion that the recent terrorist acts have pushed the people into a traumatic situation and the ‘basant’ festival could help restore their happy feelings and provide them with some kind of relief.

Given the present situation one can only recall the happy memories when public parks and rooftops were crowded with revellers celebrating the ‘basant’ festival, which used to start with late night kite flying and dinners.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=166609