With India scheduled to go in for general elections before May this year, politicians are not only leaving an impact on the minds of people, they are also gaining popularity as favourite kite themes.
In Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and also in other parts of the country,kites with pictures of politicians will dot the sky during the festival of Makar Sankranti.
Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14.
In Varanasi, people were seen making their choices between kites with images of Narendra Modi, Arvind Kejriwal, Anna Hazare, Mulayam Singh Yadav and many others.
However, kite-sellers highlighted that kites with pictures of Modi and Kejriwal are a big hit in the market.
“There are kites with pictures of political leaders everywhere due to the Makar Sankranti festival, including Anna, Kejriwal and Modi. The demand of kite string spools with pictures of Modi and Kejriwal is soaring high,” said a kite-seller, Chandrashekhar.
However, they further predicted a low and meek response for kites with images of Congress leaders, including that of party vice president Rahul Gandhi.
“This time, kites with pictures of Congress leaders are going to be defeated. This year, kites with picture of Rahul Gandhi are low in demand as compared to last year. Kites with Modi’s pictures are in great demand,” said Ahmed Ali, another kite-seller.
In fact, shopkeepers as reaping profits from this new trend of kites with themes.
They further added that one kite with Modi’s image sells at a price of Rs.10 to Rs.15.
Varanasi sells over ten million kites every year on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. It is a harvest festival which is celebrated with great pageantry. (ANI)