Kejriwal, Modi in ‘kite fight’ in Indore skies this Makar Sankranti

BJP prime minister hopeful Narendra Modi and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the most recent star in the Indian political horizons, will jostle for space in the skies of Indore this Makar Sankranti, January 14.

Kite-sellers of Indore have put on display their wares of different shapes and colours, with images of Kejriwal and Modi. Though there are ones with pictures of freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, social activist Anna Hazare and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Modi is in direct contest with Kejriwal for top position.

Indore has a bustling market for kites, which are also supplied to bordering areas of Rajasthan and Maharashtra.

Every year, some of the prominent kite markets do a brisk business during Makar Sankranti in the city and 70,000 artisans and seasonal workers are involved in the business.

Jakir Hussein and Shakir Hussein, who own the kite shop Mohammed Patang Wala, said both Kejriwal and Modi had become popular figures here.

A small-size Kejriwal or Modi kite costs Rs 5 while a bigger one comes at Rs 50, the Husseins said, adding that they were surprised to see the demand for the Kejriwal and Modi kites among children and going by that they had placed orders for more.

Basantrao Jadhav, another dealer who, along with his family, stocks at least 5,000 kites in a year, said pictures of Modi with his mother were popular.