While for many Makar Sankranti is a festival of joy and entertainment, sharp kite strings commonly known as manja that is used in the traditional kite flying on the occasion, pose a serious threat to humans and animals alike, often turning celebration into tragedy.

A 35-year-old cricket coach, Rajesh Parkar, from Kandivli, was injured while riding his motorcycle on the Western Express Highway’s Bisleri Flyover on Wednesday afternoon. He was travelling to his maternal uncle’s house near Shivaji Park when a sharp kite string struck his face.