12-year-old boy dies after throat slit by glass-coated kite string in Kota, Rajasthan

Kite Flying Tragedy Claims Life of 12-Year-Old Boy in Kota

A tight-knit community in Kota, Rajasthan, is mourning the loss of a young boy who tragically lost his life while flying kites with his friends. Surendra Bheel, a bright and energetic 12-year-old student in class 5, had his dreams cut short when his throat was slit by a glass-coated kite string. The incident, which occurred on Monday evening, has sent shockwaves through the district.

Surendra and his friends were enjoying the age-old tradition of kite flying on the rooftop of his house when the unthinkable happened. The glass-coated string, known for its sharpness and danger, inflicted a fatal injury on the young boy. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors were unable to save his life, leaving his family and community devastated.

Tragically, Surendra was not the only victim of the banned kite string during the Makar Sankranti festival. Five others, including a 60-year-old man named Ramlal Meena, suffered critical injuries due to the dangerous string. Meena, who was returning home on his motorcycle, had his neck slashed by the sharp kite string in Satur village. He is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kota, where he has received 13 stitches.

The use of glass-coated strings or Chinese strings had been strictly prohibited by the district collectors of Kota, Bundi, and Jhalawar ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival. This traditional celebration, also known as Uttarayan, is synonymous with kite flying. However, the joyous occasion has turned into a nightmare due to the use of these lethal strings.

Not only have human lives been affected, but the sharp kite strings have also claimed the lives of seven birds and injured 34 others in Kota city. The president of an NGO dedicated to helping injured birds has expressed concern over the devastating impact of these dangerous strings on the local avian population.

The tragic loss of young Surendra Bheel serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety regulations and bans put in place by authorities. The district administration must take decisive action to prevent further loss of life and injury during future festivals. As the community mourns this heartbreaking loss, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that such incidents are never repeated..