By IANS
Hyderabad : Sky is the limit for Chinese exports into India as colourful Chinese kites have invaded Hyderabad skies much to the delight of kite flying enthusiasts but dealing a blow to the kite makers here.
After flooding the city markets with products ranging from toys to mobile phones, China has now literally entered the skies with its kites, cashing in on the kite flying season marking the festival of Makar Sankranti, celebrated across Andhra Pradesh Tuesday.
With innovative designs and shapes, the Chinese kites became a big hit among children and youth alike. Replacing the traditional diamond shaped kites, the imported ones are in the shapes of eagles, parrots, owls, parachutes and even fighter jets.
The kite shops in the old city of Hyderabad have done a brisk business. The kites from Gujarat – a major hub of enthusiasts who too fly kites on Makar Sakranti – and those made by locals have faced a tough competition as the imported kites are selling like hot cakes.
They have become so popular among enthusiasts that their high prices ranging from Rs.100 ($2.5) to Rs.500 – many times more compared to the local product – have not deterred buyers. The kites are made of lightweight materials like nylon and plastic instead of paper.
Besides China, kites from countries like Taiwan and Indonesia too have threatened to knock the local manufacturers out of business.
And the foreign competition does not end with kites.
The manja or the special thread with which kites are flown to compete and cut other kites has also come all the way from China and Taiwan, giving the local makers a run for their money.
Even the traditional thread is replaced by the PVC wire from China and Taiwan. Many kite fliers have preferred the ‘Taiwan tangoos’, a thread made of plastic fibre, as it cannot be cut easily by the normal ‘manja’.
Though the local kite makers have also come out new designs like the ones with faces of popular film stars and cricket heroes, the imported kites are more popular.
“The imported kites, PVC wires and manja are an instant hit with the kite enthusiasts. The youngsters always want something new and these new kites and material have attracted them,” said Gopal Bajaj who runs a kite shop at Gulzar Houz in the old city.
Kite flying has been an age-old hobby in Hyderabad and other parts of Andhra Pradesh. Though the changing landscape of the city and popularity of games like cricket have had their impact on the popular pastime over the last few years, a large number of youngsters, children and women prefer kite flying during Sankranti holidays.
Kite flying festivals organised by some corporate houses, NGOs and kite flying clubs are helping to keep this sport flying high.
About 2,000 young IT professionals from 40 leading Hyderabad-based IT firms including Mircosoft and Cognizant took part in a kite flying competition last week. Some NGOs have organised festivals to raise funds for charity works.
The skies in some neighbourhoods could be seen literally covered with colourful kites. Families enjoyed flying kites from their rooftops and trying to cut other kites. Dozens of youths with boisterous cries could be seen running on streets to loot the cut kites, unmindful of the dangers.