Gujarat Records Over 160 Thread Cut Incidents During Sankranti
On January 14, 2025, Gujarat saw a concerning surge in thread-cut injuries, a common hazard during the Makar Sankranti festival. The state, traditionally known for its fervent kite-flying celebrations, recorded a total of 168 cases of thread cuts. This alarming number highlights the safety concerns associated with the festival’s celebrations, where people are at risk of injuries from the sharp manja (kite strings). The Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) 108 service reported the highest number of cases in Ahmedabad, with 51 injuries. This was followed by Vadodara, which recorded 27 incidents, and Rajkot with 18 cases. In total, many districts reported fewer cases, some as low as one or two, with a few areas seeing no injuries at all.
As the celebrations continued on January 15, the situation remained concerning, with Ahmedabad maintaining the highest number of injuries, albeit reduced to 15 cases by 6 PM. Surat came in second with nine injuries, while Anand and Vadodara followed with seven and five cases, respectively. These figures serve as a stark reminder of the dangers that come with kite flying during this annual festival. The sharp threads often result in cuts, burns, and even more severe injuries, prompting a call for increased awareness and stricter regulations regarding the use of manja.
On the same day, the Karuna Animal Ambulance (KAA) service, which provides emergency medical aid to animals, witnessed a significant increase in cases. On January 14, KAA attended to 1,407 emergencies across the state, with 801 related to animals and 606 concerning birds. This surge is consistent with the spike in thread-cut injuries, as several birds fall victim to the sharp kites and their threads, causing both physical harm and a rise in calls for medical assistance. By 6 PM on January 15, KAA had responded to 1,119 emergencies, including 846 animal-related incidents and 273 bird emergencies. The numbers reflect the broader impact of the festival on not just humans but also the local wildlife, especially birds that become entangled in the flying kites.
From a civic and sustainability perspective, these figures underline a growing need for more effective public health measures, along with stricter regulations on the sale and use of harmful kite strings. In recent years, there has been an increasing awareness of the environmental impact and animal welfare issues tied to the celebrations. The injuries to animals and birds, often caused by the unregulated use of synthetic manja, have sparked a debate about the sustainability of such traditional practices. As animal rescue organisations like KAA work tirelessly to mitigate the damage, there is an urgent need for a collective effort from both the government and the public to address these issues.
In conclusion, while Makar Sankranti is a joyous occasion, it brings with it significant challenges in terms of public health and safety. The rise in thread-cut injuries and animal emergencies highlights the urgent need for improved safety protocols, increased awareness, and stricter enforcement of laws around kite flying. For the sake of both human and animal welfare, as well as sustainability, authorities and citizens must come together to strike a balance between tradition and safety in future celebrations. The next steps could include banning harmful manja, implementing better regulations on kite sales, and running awareness campaigns to reduce the number of injuries during this festive season.
