Sonam Kapoor donates ''kind kites''

Mumbai, Jan 13 (PTI) Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor, who hadan entire nation dancing to the tune of "Masakali", hasdonated "kind kites", those that have regulation strings, tostudents at the local Arya Vidya Mandir School.

Kapoor, who formerly attended the school, also sent aletter on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment ofAnimals (PETA) India imploring the school''s principal, MitaliRudra, to encourage the children never to use cruel and deadlyglass-coated ''manja'' (string).

In the letter, Kapoor points out that thousands of birds� as well as many people, including children � have beeninjured and killed by glass-coated ''manja''.

"The kites send a positive message to children,encouraging them to prevent the suffering of birds by usingonly string which has not been coated with glass," saysKapoor.

"I would also like to relay this message to all yourstudents: study hard, be goal-oriented and be compassionate.

You can start by showing compassion and not using glass-coatedstring."

In March 2010, Kapoor had sent another letter on behalfof PETA India to Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil, askinghim to ban glass-coated ''manja'' across the state after Mumbaipolice had banned it within the city.

The ''manja'' used in kite-flying competitions is oftengummed and coated with powdered and finely crushed glass,making it lethal for pigeons, crows, kites, owls and otherbirds who become entangled after the strings get caught intrees or on poles, a PETA release said.

Thousands of birds are killed by glass-coated ''manja''every year, and many people have been killed by it as well.

Last year, a man lost control of his bike after he was struckin the face by glass-coated kite string, and a woman''s throatwas slashed by ''manja'' in Gujarat. Both died from theirinjuries, the release said.