Jashn-i-baharan, or the official Basant festival, was held on the weekend of 24th and 25th February. On these two days maximum parties were organized, maximum musical evenings were arranged and maximum kites were flown. In the past few years the festival has grown exponentially and has put Lahore on the international tourist destination map. A lot of money is invested in making this a festival worth visiting. However, for some the festival could turn into a killer.
Even though a ban was placed on kite-flying in 2005 it is constantly removed and then re-enforced. Usually, after protests the ban is removed for a few days to allow for the Basant festivities. Not like people would give heed to these regulations, but it is amazing that those in charge of the law, including our Supreme Court, are willing to twist the law and compromise safety in return for a couple of days of fun. This year, according to Dawn, 10 people (including 6 children) have died. Update: A friend in Pakistan just told me that the figure stands at 12. Jack’s ‘canonical five’ only mentioned five victims, but even if you consider the most liberal estimate it comes to 11.
Basant is a great festival, but it is this lack of concern for safety which leads to unnecessary accidents. What is with the idea of ‘hawai firing’? How stupid can one be? It is simple physics. What goes up, come does as well. I think the government should not simply ban things, but try to educate the people about the dangers of such an activity. Children try to get kites stuck on electricity poles not knowing that they are connected to metal twines that will electrocute them. We need to make sure that all such dangerous materials are banned permanently. There is no point if the ban is lifted for two days for Basant.
- Basant festivities started at dawn on Saturday in most parts of Lahore.
- People from all walks of life got involved and it is this intermingling that makes it a great cultural event. This picture shows film-director Sangeeta.
- Hundreds of kites are visible in the sky as Basant gets underway in full flow.
- However, on the other hand the mother of a child whose throat was slit by a metal twine mourns. This picture is in sharp contrast to the preceding ones and the one to follow, which shows official Jashn-i-Baharan celebrations. This shows the ugly side of the festival where many enjoy one of the most festive few days of the year while others mourn the loss of their loved ones. Umer Farooq’s throat was slit, Haider Ali and Hassan Nadeem were killed by stray bullets while celbrating on their roofs, Maryam was hit by a stray bullet inside her house, Naheed Taranum fell from her roof while trying to protect one of her children, Shareef also fell from his roof while trying to catch a kite, Imran was run over by a car while running after a stray kite and two other individuals tried to untangle kites stuck in electricity poles and got electrocuted. This is the reality!
- A picture of one of the many different musical concerts and parties arranged for the people of Lahore and those who have travelled from other parts of the world to take part in this festival.
I just hope and wish nothing happened to this kid. He is trying to pull a kite off an electric wire.
- A bit of humour amongst all the fun, frolic, anger, sadness and mourning. A ladder on the van is a warning to the people that police are ready to climb up to rooftops to nab violators of kite flying laws. When it comes to being funny our police never disappoints. I really doubt they’ll be climbing any ladders with the unusually large bellies that most of them posess.
Well, I don’t mind to have fun & frolic provided it doesn’t affect your neighbours. However, the Basant festival is a complete madness shown by our people–from all walks of life. Heavens knows, when they will be considerate & good citizens, full of civic sense.
I agree that the government shouldn’t ban Basant. After all cars kill people too, should we ban them as well. Enforcing safety regulations combined with education is the only solution.
“I think the government should not simply ban things, but try to educate the people about the dangers of such an activity.”
As a matter of fact there are certain things that the government can and should ban. Following on from a point the author made, ‘hawai firing’ should top that list. It is by far the most insanely ridiculous and pointless activity I have witnessed which displays nothing but the complete ‘jahaalat’ of those partaking in it. We’ve all seen those morons at weddings … many of these dimwits are even in various states of intoxication.
Imagine if you realise on your wedding day that your in-laws are a bunch of gun toting goons. Heres my take on it: If you’re the bride, I would think that tells you that your husband-to-be is the abusive type who is going to beat the crap out of you every day because his mother didn’t love him as a child. Conversely, if you’re the groom, your wife to be is likely to be the quintessential spoilt bitch who turned into a slut at college and now spends her waking hours wondering how the hell her life has come to this.
I’m just rambling now …
Whats the fuss about. Many children are killed daily, Many women raped, many get electrocuted while travelling on rail tops……… and so on. This is our beloved Islamic Republic of Pakistan, where People in power are driving 7 series and doing God knows what. Just get of there. I can see hell coming our way……