Manja (or manjha) (IPA: /maːŋdʒʱaː/) is an abrasive string used to fly fighter kites, mainly in South Asian countries. Made when a cotton string is coated with powdered glass or a similar abrasive.
Traditionally, it is made on fine pure cotton thread coated with a mixture of rice glue, tree gums or similar natural ingredients and finely powdered glass, aluminum oxide or zirconia alumina for the abrasive. [1]
A relatively recent introduction, China manja, is based on non biodegradable synthetic fibers. [2]
People often fly the kites from rooftops, which poses risks to their safety. [3]
In some places, kite runners pursue kites to retrieve them without paying attention to the surrounding, causing accidents. [4] [5]
Many reports of motorcyclists and others having their throats cut by manja - especially when driving through hanging strings. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]
It is also responsible for injuries to birds. [12] A pair of volunteer bird medics in New Delhi care for about 1,000 black kites each year, 90% of which are injured by manja and half of which die. [13]
At the Uttarayan festival, veterinarians had to repeatedly respond to situations where birds had been injured. [14]
Several attempts were initiated by government and authorities but none are seem to be successful. [15]
It was banned in Lahore since 2006. [16]
Manja (or manjha) (IPA: /maːŋdʒʱaː/) is an abrasive string used to fly fighter kites, mainly in South Asian countries. Made when a cotton string is coated with powdered glass or a similar abrasive.
Traditionally, it is made on fine pure cotton thread coated with a mixture of rice glue, tree gums or similar natural ingredients and finely powdered glass, aluminum oxide or zirconia alumina for the abrasive. [1]
A relatively recent introduction, China manja, is based on non biodegradable synthetic fibers. [2]
People often fly the kites from rooftops, which poses risks to their safety. [3]
In some places, kite runners pursue kites to retrieve them without paying attention to the surrounding, causing accidents. [4] [5]
Many reports of motorcyclists and others having their throats cut by manja - especially when driving through hanging strings. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]
It is also responsible for injuries to birds. [12] A pair of volunteer bird medics in New Delhi care for about 1,000 black kites each year, 90% of which are injured by manja and half of which die. [13]
At the Uttarayan festival, veterinarians had to repeatedly respond to situations where birds had been injured. [14]
Several attempts were initiated by government and authorities but none are seem to be successful. [15]
It was banned in Lahore since 2006. [16]