Authors: Ben Ruhe
Date Submitted: February 29, 2004
Article Type: Journal

Last February’s annual kiteflying festival in Lahore drew thousands of fliers and spectators and provoked the usual frenzy. Calls for caution were ignored by many. Three people were electrocuted when their wire cutting lines——banned, but used anyway—–touched power lines, two fell to their deaths from rooftops in pursuit of cut kites, two died after being hit by cars while chasing falling trophies, and a girl had her throat fatally slit by a line coated with pulverized glass. Despite a ban on firing guns, a number of people were injured by stray bullets. The festival has become such big business choice rooftops for flying are hired out for corporate entertainment.

PDF Link: Journal Issue