As the lockdown wears on due to global pandemic coronavirus, another day of possibilities, opportunities, joys of life disappear into the sky for many house bound Bogura residents.
With the nationwide shutdown nearing its second month, the constant tedium of four walls can only be matched by the gloom of a worsening coronavirus outbreak.
That is why people from different parts of Bogura are spending their afternoon by flying colourful kites.Ordered to remain indoors as much as possible in order to avoid contagion, many young boys and girls, bored of channel-surfing on TV or browsing social media, have found solace in flying kites on their rooftops. From young to old, everyone is taking part in flying kites.
Usually, residents of Old Dhaka fly colourful kites during the “Sakrain” festival marking the last day of the Bengali month of Poush. This time maybe there is an exception to that rule. Kites are now flying during lockdown in Bogura’s sky.
For the last few days, people have been flying kites on the roofs of houses in different areas of Bogura including Thanthaniya, Colony, Maltinagar, Jalesh-Ritla, Katnarpara, Chelopara, Phulbari, Khandar, Malgram, Stadium, Station Road and others. It is as if their entertainment is tied to the kite’s thread. In some areas, family members have made kite flying in the afternoon into a habit.
There is a flurry of kite selling in different areas of Bogura city including Churipatti. Kites of different names are being sold for 10 to 150 taka. The kite made of two colours is called Doranga.
Besides designed andcoloured paper, plastic kites are also being sold. In addition to the kite, other parts including threads are also being sold.
Dr Munjurul Alam Liton of Bogra city said that he used to make kites himself and fly kites from the roof of his house every afternoon. He said, “At least 20 kites flew from various roofs around him. Kite flying is a pleasure and fighting with kites is another kind of joy.”
He added that he used to fly more kites when he was younger. After becoming a professional it was difficult to make time for flying kitesbut in the lockdown, he is spending time by flying kites and treating some patients.
Nur Mohammad, a resident of Khandar in Bogra, said he is really happy by flying kites with his family. “While flying kites, I enjoy to cut other people’s kites.
Moreover, the people in the lock down are bored with TV and mobile. To get rid of this, many colourful kites are flying in the sky of Bogura.”
Meanwhile, many kites were lost and during the storm on Thursday. However, on Friday, kites of various colours were seen back in the sky again as people bought new kites.
As if people attached their mind, heart with the kite’s thread, and were flying in the blue and white sky. Seeing the colourful kites, the neighbours, who were not flying kites, also seem to be smiling happily by just watching the kites fly in the sky.