“Punjab Government recently announced its decision to celebrate Basant festival in the second week of February thus lifting the 12-year ban on this celebration which marks the advent of spring”
This news was met with joy especially by the people of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and adjoining areas where even the ban could not suppress the people from displaying their love for flying large colorful kites. The past governments had banned the celebrations in order to avoid injuries and deaths caused as a result of the festival but since the supreme court clarified that there is no restriction on celebrating Basant as long as it remains under the extent of law and boundaries defined by the government. Coated with abrasive materials, kite strings often become the cause of injury and death of people, to avoid such mishaps, Punjab’s information minister told reporters that a committee comprising of Punjab’s law minister and other administrative people would deliberate and propose plans to avoid such sad incidents from taking place.
Basant festival has its roots in our culture. In every culture, people welcome spring with celebrating different festivals. The celebration of Basant can be traced back to the era of Ranjeet Singh who declared holidays for as long as ten days to appease the masses. The festival holds great importance for Hindus who celebrate the creative energy and power of goddess Saraswati. While for the majority of muslim population of Pakistan, Basant is still considered a cultural heritage, a festival which is celebrated for the positive synergy it creates amongst the common people.
Banning the Basant Festival had affected many in an adverse manner as a great many people who had their livelihoods linked with providing kites, strings and similar products found themselves out of work. Not only would the restoration of Basant boost economic activity but it will also promote tourism and increase goodwill among the people who long to have such events where they can experience festivities, and socialize while, in this case, enjoying the view of a sky full of color and competition.
In the words of a luminite, Shehreyar from Gujranwala, “I can’t wait to go back to my village and feel the adrenaline by flying kites with everyone”. While this may not be the case for many but it is easy to say that a lot of people have positive albeit dormant memories of the festival, the revival of which will make a lot of them happy.