Hyderabad: As the city folk get ready for Sankranti festivities, its popular attraction, flying kites, has been a bigger draw this year compared to 2023. Most kite shops are recording impressive sales of colourful kites, bobbins and threads.
On their part, the authorities are maintaining a tight vigil against any possible sale of the banned Chinese ‘manja’, which comes as a blessing in disguise for the local ‘manja’ makers, who can make some profits, this time around.
Sankranti provides seasonal livelihood to several craftsmen engaged in making kites, manja and other accessories for up to six months. They also enjoy a good market in other cities.
That the festival is coming as an extension of the weekend is helping shopkeepers, especially from the city hubs at Gulzar Houz and Dhoolpet, to make crisp business.
Bishan Kumar Goel, a shopkeeper at Gulzar Houz, said, “There are many families involved in making kites and other products, directly or indirectly. On that count, apart from the fun it provides, it is a good season for generating employment. One can find many petty vendors selling lanterns, props and sunglasses for children, among other things.”
Mohammed Dildar Khan, a vendor at Mata Ki Khidki in Dabeerpura, said “because there is a strict enforcement on the Chinese manja, the demand for handmade local manja is on the rise. Manja makers are, in fact, working in double shifts.”
- Handmade local makers buoyant as cops maintain tight vigil against sale of Chinese manja
