Ahsan Khan, a seller in Mumbai, says the country was at risk of running out.
“The period between April and August is usually the leanest [for kite sales],” he says. “But this year, I have sold about 500,000 kites [during that time].”
He adds that neighbouring Pakistan had also caught the kite-flying bug during its lockdown. “I am even getting calls from Karachi and Lahore in Pakistan, from people offering to pay me double the usual amount.”
Kite-flying has been a popular pastime in India for centuries, with historians saying that it was introduced to the country by Chinese travellers.
It is, however, usually a seasonal activity in India. In most parts of the country sales peak around the festival of Makar Sankranti, external – celebrated on 14 January to mark the beginning of spring and harvest season.
