India celebrates its Independence Day on August 15 -- and every year Lal Kuan, a bustling market inside Old Delhi undergoes its annual transformation into a kite mecca. Every shop is lined with hundreds of kites of all shapes and sizes. Flying kites is an old tradition here, but passions run particularly high around the holiday.
India celebrates its Independence Day on August 15 -- and every year Lal Kuan, a bustling market inside Old Delhi undergoes its annual transformation into a kite mecca. Every shop is lined with hundreds of kites of all shapes and sizes. Flying kites is an old tradition here, but passions run particularly high around the holiday.
BEDI UNIVERSAL
Popular trends are displayed on each kite. This year, the "Mobama" kites showcasing the much-hyped friendship between Barack Obama and India's Narendra Modi are the hot favorites. So too are "Angry Birds" and "Tom and Jerry" kites, perhaps a sign of the<br />eclectic tastes and influences of Delhi's kite-makers.
Popular trends are displayed on each kite. This year, the "Mobama" kites showcasing the much-hyped friendship between Barack Obama and India's Narendra Modi are the hot favorites. So too are "Angry Birds" and "Tom and Jerry" kites, perhaps a sign of the
eclectic tastes and influences of Delhi's kite-makers.
Vijay Bedi/Bedivision
There's one other trend: cheap Chinese kites flooding the markets. With the recent fall in the Chinese yuan, Chinese-made goods will likely become even cheaper.
There's one other trend: cheap Chinese kites flooding the markets. With the recent fall in the Chinese yuan, Chinese-made goods will likely become even cheaper.
BEDI UNIVERSAL
Ram Krishna Chauhan has been selling kites for the past 25 years in Delhi; he says Chinese competition has hit his bottom line. On Independence Day, his solution is clear: "I like to play it safe," he says. "Kites with the national flag on them will sell for sure. I'm not too sure of other designs."
Ram Krishna Chauhan has been selling kites for the past 25 years in Delhi; he says Chinese competition has hit his bottom line. On Independence Day, his solution is clear: "I like to play it safe," he says. "Kites with the national flag on them will sell for sure. I'm not too sure of other designs."
BEDI UNIVERSAL
Mohabad Mugid has been making kites since he was a teenager, a skill he learned from his father. His kites are of the traditional hand-crafted variety, and it takes an entire day to make a single piece.
Mohabad Mugid has been making kites since he was a teenager, a skill he learned from his father. His kites are of the traditional hand-crafted variety, and it takes an entire day to make a single piece.
BEDI UNIVERSAL
A new kind of string, made in China, is flooding Indian markets. It's stronger but not particularly environmentally friendly -- and it's also a menace to birds.
A new kind of string, made in China, is flooding Indian markets. It's stronger but not particularly environmentally friendly -- and it's also a menace to birds.
BEDI UNIVERSAL
"The younger generation prefers Chinese-made kites," Mugid says. "Their strings last longer because they are tougher. But it can also cut people's fingers, and it can injure birds," he points out. The Indian state of Gujarat has banned Chinese-made strings, but not Delhi.
"The younger generation prefers Chinese-made kites," Mugid says. "Their strings last longer because they are tougher. But it can also cut people's fingers, and it can injure birds," he points out. The Indian state of Gujarat has banned Chinese-made strings, but not Delhi.
Vijay Bedi/Bedivision