Basant festival starts in Lahore: millions of rupees economic activities generated

The City of Lahore, which is described as cultural capital of Pakistan, has become hub of cultural activities, as celebrations in connection with 'Basant Night' has started, amid stringent security measures.
The City of Lahore is wearing a festive look, as various buildings in different parts of the City, were illuminated where special functions have been arranged, to mark the Day.
This year, a large number of visitors from various part of the country as well as abroad have reached Lahore, to celebrate the Basant festival.
According to rough estimates, around 220 million of rupees economic activities have been generated in the provincial metropolis during this festival. Almost all the City hotels, guesthouses, motels, clubs and other places were totally packed and no room was available there. Big hotels have charged special charges of over Rs 15000 per day for a room in the hotel. Those engaged in sale of strings and kites have earned huge amounts.
Rent a car and catering service providers also remained busy in meeting the demand of their clients. Women attended these functions by wearing special yellow dresses.
Basant is an annual festival, which generates huge economic activity in the city as hundreds of functions, is organised to mark the event, which couples with spring festival in Lahore. The government earns millions in sponsorships from multinationals and local companies. Parks and Horticulture Authority, Punjab Tourism Department, Iqra University, Paragon Housing Society, Gowalmandi Food Street, and a large number of companies and societies have organised various programmes to mark the day. Various companies have arranged Basant night programmes in various hotels and other places in which ambassadors, foreign dignitaries and important personalities are participating. A large number of well-off people have arranged special Basant nights for their guests who came from various parts of the country as well as abroad. The hosts of these parties have arranged special arrangements to fulfil demands of their guests.
The event, which a few years ago, was restricted to walled area has now extended to whole City particularly Defence, Garden Town, Gulberg, Model Town, etc.
The Basant, which had been a trademark of Lahore, has now been celebrated in almost all the major cities of Punjab and Federal capital Islamabad. Popularity of Basant province wide has made it even more difficult for the government to take extreme decisions against kite flying as this kite making cottage industry is also establishing its roots in cities like Sialkot, Kasur, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, etc.
Lahore Electric Supply Company has made special arrangements to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the festival, which will conclude on Sunday evening.
The City government, Lesco and Lahore police joint campaign against the kite flying with metallic wire has already proven a complete failure as the electricity tripping continuing.
The administration of various hospitals has made arrangements to provide medical aid to the injured persons during Basant festival. Medicines and other material have been provided at the causality wards of hospitals. Use of metallic wire result in power failure, which not only cause damage to Wapda installations, but also damage the home appliances and commercial machinery and equipment.
It is worth mentioning that the government had put a complete ban over kite flying for 11 months.
The anti-kite flying lobbies have been protesting for months now, demanding of the government to at least ban the sale of nylon strings, which are used for industrial sewing.
To guard against metallic wire, the Lesco authorities at some of the grid stations have erected protective nets.