WE’RE FOR HARMONY This Independence Day, join us as we meet Indians who stand together for peace, rejecting divisive elements. This is the India making us proud
Kites with slogans such as ‘Nafrat ke Khilaaf, Bharat ki Awaaz’, and ‘Nafrat Chhorho, Bharat Jodho’ to dot the skyline of the Capital on Independence Day, today
Etti Bali
This Independence Day, a group of volunteers from Old Delhi and members of an NGO, Purani Dilli Walo ki Baatein, have joined hands with independent filmmaker Saba Dewan to spread the message of communal harmony and peace. And since August 15 is synonymous with kite flying, what better way than to have messages of love printed on the multicoloured beauties?
“Independence Day, in many parts of India, especially Old Delhi, is associated with kite flying. We just took it off from there. The idea being that we have messages against hatred, freedom from fear and violence,” says Dewan.
Work on the kites began about a month ago; around 3,000 kites were printed. The cost for it was covered through contributions from volunteers. “Money was collected, mostly from people in Old Delhi. Whatever they could give, be it ₹5, ₹10 or more, they did. This was how the money was raised to get these kites printed,” adds Dewan.
The kites were distributed for free on Tuesday (August 14) at the popular wholesale kite market, Lal Kuan Bazaar.
Mohammad Taqi, a shop owner and resident of Old Delhi, had undertaken the task of getting these kites printed, with the aim to counter hatred with messages of peace and harmony, and get freedom from communal tension and violence.
In his words, “Aapas mein jo yeh nafrat boyi jaa rahi hai, usko khatam karne ke liye yeh patangein banayi hain. Aaj ek Hindustani doosre Hindustani ko maar raha hai. Inn patango mein kisi caste yaa community ka sawaal nahi hai. Hum patango ke zariye yeh message pahunchana chahte hain ki nafrat se azaadi mile.”
Usamah Tariq, a 19-year-old student from Daryaganj, adds that there is no segregation on the basis of caste or religion, at least not where he lives. “With these kites, we are trying to foster the message of unity. A lot of my Hindu friends come over to my house to fly kites, and I also go to their houses. We place friendly bets on who cuts the most kites,” he says.
Some of these kites were also printed at Tamjeedud-din’s printing press. A 24-year-old student from Matia Mahal, he says, “Patang toh udh ke kahin bhi jaati hai aur apne saath yeh message le ke jayegi. (Wherever these kites go, our message will go with them).” He also shares his plan for the I-Day evening: “We will fly a huge kite at night, and tie electric candles to its manja (thread). The lights of peace will eliminate the darkness that is prevalent in our society today.”