Jammu kite makers heave a sigh of relief on I-Day

Jammu, Aug.15 : Kite makers in Jammu heaved a sigh of relief on Friday,the day India marked its 62nd Independence Day, as the town limped back to normalcy after days of violent protests

Kite makers appeared upbeat about sales on Independence Day, and expressed hope that the over month long communal violence and tensions in Jammu end sooner than later.

They claimed that the protests have affected the residents and the business class badly.

The imposition of curfew has resulted in most business operations coming to a halt. With it now being lifted for several hours, the town's kite sellers are doing some good business. We come here every year, 350 of us come have come here. We are 150 people here we had a lot of problem because of curfew. Now there is some respite after relaxation of curfew, so our work is better," said Sukhdev Singh, a kite maker.

There are around 350 kite sellers in the area. At least 150 of them have come from Amritsar.

Those coming from outside Jammu said they would celebrate Independence Day by flying kites.

"I am from Lucknow. We come here every year to fly kites. All markets are closed because of curfew. We are not finding kites anywhere in the market. But now here we have found something. But we will celebrate the festivals and enjoy them," said Vikram Maini, a consumer

"We are a bit satisfied. We had also taken loans. Now people are coming in, so we are happy," said Sanjay Mahajan, a kite maker In the last two months, the situation appeared somewhat gloomy for these kite makers. They start designing their kites by April. Specialist string and kite makers from Amritsar also start to enter the town around the same time.

There is some respite now.

ANI