Uttarayan Festival Turns Tragic in Gujarat
A joyous Uttarayan celebration turned into a nightmare for one family in Gujarat's Anand district. An eight-year-old boy lost his life after a deadly kite string slit his throat during the festivities on Wednesday.
Fatal Incident in Badalpur Village
Dhaval Parmar, a resident of Badalpur village in Borsad taluka, was traveling with his father Kishan Parmar. The young boy sat in front of his father on their motorcycle as they headed toward Ralaj.
A sharp kite string stretched across the road caught Dhaval completely by surprise. The string got trapped under the boy's chin and sliced through his throat with terrible force.
Family members rushed Dhaval to a hospital in Khambhat. Doctors worked desperately to save the child, but the injuries proved too severe. The eight-year-old succumbed to his wounds, leaving his family and community in deep mourning.
Multiple Injuries Reported Across Districts
This tragic death was not an isolated incident. Authorities confirmed at least four other people suffered similar kite string injuries in Anand district alone.
Two individuals survived throat injuries from the dangerous strings. Another two victims sustained cuts to different parts of their faces. All these injuries involved glass-coated kite strings known locally as manja.
The danger extended beyond Anand district. In neighboring Panchmahal district, one person sustained injuries in Halol town. Another individual got hurt in Godhra. Dahod district reported one injury case in Garbada taluka.
Growing Concerns Over Festival Safety
These incidents highlight serious safety concerns during Uttarayan celebrations. The festival traditionally involves flying kites with specially treated strings designed to cut through other kites.
Many kite enthusiasts use strings coated with glass powder or metal fragments. These reinforced strings create spectacular aerial battles but pose extreme danger to people on the ground.
Motorcyclists and pedestrians face particular risk from low-hanging or fallen strings. The thin, nearly invisible strings can cause severe lacerations before victims even notice the threat.
Local authorities typically issue warnings before Uttarayan festivities begin. They emphasize using safer alternatives to glass-coated strings. Despite these efforts, dangerous materials remain widely available in markets across Gujarat.
This year's tragedies have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations. Community leaders urge celebrants to prioritize human safety over competitive kite flying.
