Makar Sankranti incomplete without kite flying in Cuttack

Cuttack: Since ages kite flying has always remained a favourite hobby of people in the Millennium City of Cuttack and the fun is doubled on the occasion of Makar Sankranti every year.

Though the kite-fighting competitions have lost its charm, people still make a point to fly kites on this particular auspicious day in the city.

"Earlier, sky was the limit as people used to fly kites throughout the day on Makar Sankranti. But following rise in incidents of casualties due to 'manja' or the glass coated threads, people are now flying kites with a caution," said Kishore Das, a local resident.

The Cuttack district administration had for the second consecutive year clamped restrictions on flying of kites while upholding the ban on the use of Chinese as well as Indian manja and nylon threads.

The ban was imposed as such type of materials used for flying kites pose serious threat to the lives of people.

In a bid to ensure that people can enjoy kite flying safely, the administration has identified ten open fields in the city.

The ten identified spots are Baliyatra ground, Khannagar park, OMP playground, Bidanasi ground, Sunshine field, Kathjodi river bed, Pota pokhari playground, field near Panchamukhi Hanuman temple, open place near Biju Patnaik park and Naraj.