Off topic - deadly kite lines

[Dave_5280]

Off topic - India has these “fights” with kites that include lines covered in glass so they can damage each other’s kites. But non-participants have been injured and killed when hit by the lines causing cuts to head and neck. 2 deaths reported recently by slashed necks.

Article link -

https://news.google.com/articles/CBMiWG ... id=US%3Aen

[Toby]

That’s old, happens every year.

[Peter_Frank]

I am a bit confused about the deaths and mishaps?

It is lines used for kitefights, meaning trying to cut the opponents kite without having your own detroyed - how does this work?

Meaning you need loads of space to do so, right?

And in the article we read about some on a road getting hit?

Makes no sense to me - there must be something I dont get

Now I found a video from India, a small single line kite, used for "fights" - now I understand even less?

Anyone who can clarify what this is all about, and why there are deaths?

Peter

[Trent hink]

From what I've heard, decades ago, they dip the string in egg-yolk and then into crushed glass.

I think I heard once that some cheated by using steel wire, but that practice was literally outlawed.

These fighting kites are one-line, and pretty interesting.

Of course, there is gambling involved... Or at least bragging rights.

I'm curious what effect the advent of the modern lines we use might have had on this ancient sport... Could explain a lot...

My knowledge about it is mostly only recollection from a book I owned when I was ten. I see Wikipedia has an interesting article on kite fighting.

[grigorib]

Off topic - India has these “fights” with kites that include lines covered in glass so they can damage each other’s kites. But non-participants have been injured and killed when hit by the lines causing cuts to head and neck. 2 deaths reported recently by slashed necks.

Article link -

https://news.google.com/articles/CBMiWG ... id=US%3Aen

There’s a reason 3rd world is called that. Illiteracy is high, overinflated pride is even higher, corruption rottens the society and risk management is often based on hopes rather than facts/research.
Not talking about picking fasçist countries to be their allies which is not relevant to the subject yet is certainly part of stereotype and a pattern the stereotypes are based on

[grigorib]

I am a bit confused about the deaths and mishaps?

It is lines used for kitefights, meaning trying to cut the opponents kite without having your own detroyed - how does this work?

Meaning you need loads of space to do so, right?

And in the article we read about some on a road getting hit?

Makes no sense to me - there must be something I dont get

Now I found a video from India, a small single line kite, used for "fights" - now I understand even less?

Anyone who can clarify what this is all about, and why there are deaths?

Peter

Line is covered in adhesive and then in crushed glass. People tangle the lines and then pull the string like a saw till one of them is cut and whose string is cut - loses the fight.
That unwise thing is popular enough that manjha line is specifically prohibited in kite events - like monthly fly in DC

There were reports of people running and riding on a motorcycle into the line. I’m sure there are more cuts just handling that sh!t. Yet it’s part of the culture and it doesn’t add to seeing the culture positively.

Just google up manjha line accident and click images for some minor gore.

p.s. seems there was a fatal accident and of course someone else got blamed - this time “Chinese line”. Always someone else’s fault…