A chilling Instagram video shared by a woman named Tanya Poddar has sent shockwaves across social media, highlighting a severe and often overlooked public hazard. The video details her harrowing, near-fatal experience with a sharp kite string, commonly known as manjha, during her commute home in Pune.
A Routine Commute Turns Into a Fight for Survival
The incident, as recounted by Tanya Poddar, occurred on 2 January. She was merely a few hundred meters from her residence, crossing a bridge that was part of her regular daily route. Suddenly, she felt a thread tighten around her neck. Initially dismissing it as something trivial, she quickly realized the severity of the situation.
It was an extremely sharp manjha, which immediately began cutting into her skin, causing burn-like injuries. “I was struggling for my life,” Tanya stated in the now-viral clip. Her frantic attempts to remove the deadly string resulted in a stitched finger and wounds on her neck caused by friction. She expressed grave concern that a slightly deeper cut could have severely damaged her vocal cords. Following the traumatic event, she sought immediate medical treatment at a nearby hospital.
Online Fury Over Recklessness and Enforcement Failures
What has amplified public anger is Tanya's claim that the kite was being flown from the bridge itself—an act netizens widely condemned as reckless, especially in a high-traffic area. While acknowledging the cultural importance of kite flying during festivals like Makar Sankranti, Tanya made a fervent appeal for responsible celebration, urging people to avoid locations that endanger commuters.
In her caption, she pointed out a critical legal gap: sharp manjha is already banned under National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, yet its use remains rampant. “Celebrations should never put lives at risk,” she wrote, encouraging people to share her video to spread awareness.
Social Media Backlash and Calls for Action
The video triggered an avalanche of reactions, with many users sharing similar terrifying ordeals:
- One user commented, “OMG .... Govt should BAN on selling these sharp threads... One of my friend also experienced the same situation while driving her two wheeler. Luckily she was saved. but still suffers pain... The Authorities Must take strict Actions.”
- Another simply stated, “That’s scary. I hope everything’s fine with you now.”
A significant number of responses demanded stricter enforcement of existing bans, with users tagging local authorities and traffic police to take notice. Comments highlighted the lack of civic sense and the urgent need for accountability.
As the video continues to circulate, it has reignited crucial conversations about public safety, regulatory failures, and the collective responsibility required during festive seasons. Tanya Poddar's warning serves as a stark reminder: while she survived, the next victim might not be as fortunate.
