60 years of Independence

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It is that day of year which is working vacation for us. It is a national holiday because it is our Independence Day. It is working because we fly kites on our Independence Day and it is really not easy job. In the subcontinent beach is only available to few people and unfortunately my location is not good for that, so we get to use our terrace. Nevertheless, the wind was good, sun was bright; I have been waiting for this day for more than 2 years as last year I was out of country, so I missed it badly. Moreover, this is the only sport I am good at, besides soccer, I really enjoy flying kites.




On Right: it is me preparing kite for its maiden voyage




Unfortunately, I got only morning to noon to fly kites, and thereafter since I have not been spending time with family, we planned to visit the nearest shopping mall. Flying kites is messy in the summer, you sweat a lot, and I had to change my shirt thrice. My shorts did a good job to provide air supply J. And it is good competition, as soon as your kite starts its maiden journey, some kite from behind will compete and one of them wins the battle by cutting the other one. Yes, it is in the sky, the thread of both kites is at test here and of course the skills of the person flying the kite.


On right: me taking rest after sweating out. Oh, by the way I don't ride that usually.



Since I have learned it on my own by experimenting, I
think I know most of the mechanics. Kites can be configured
according to one’s mood. Whether one wants to use lot of energy or one wants use more of wind energy, kites can be configured accordingly. The thread is also important, it is not normal thread, a special thread with coating of paint, and minute glass fragments to make it capable of the battle in sky. I cut my fingers in almost an hour from the time we start and of course there is tape that you can use to protect the fingers but you don’t the feel and besides that the thread cuts the tape and then tangles in the tape which can get one to loose the battle. Oh yeah tangling of thread is painful process because “you can only untie a knot when you know how it was tied”, now, how do I know how it was tied, I was busy flying my kite!!

Visit to shopping mall was hell of an experience, we Indians just love discounts and everybody knows it except us. Every outlet was offering heavy discounts, which was properly advertised and the mall was packed like it will explode if few more people enter it. The air-conditioners were ineffective, almost 90% or may be 95% people were there just to pass time and we were among those 90-95%. People shouting, children crying and humid heat, nothing was right. There was no place to move the shopping cart which the rest of 5% was carrying. Out of the 5%, 2% of the carts were empty with kids in them who were getting ride in the cart.