{
  "id": 887262,
  "title": "‘Nobody sees our hard work’: Meet the people behind India’s colourful kite culture",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/nobody-sees-our-hard-work-meet-the-people-behind-indias-colourful",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-14T16:30:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express - Lifestyle",
    "slug": "the-indian-express-lifestyle",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/nobody-sees-our-hard-work-meet-the-people-behind-indias-colourful-kite-culture-10833306/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Delhi's Lal Kuan district becomes a kaleidoscope of kites during the Independence Day season, with kites hanging from cables, displayed on walls, and sold in shops. One such shop belongs to Mintoo Lal, a kite-maker who, along with his nephew Ankit, crafts intricate kites featuring pop culture references and celebrity selfies. Lal and Ankit operate in a cramped room, with Ankit setting up new designs almost methodically like a machine. Lal's wife explains that the family members handle different aspects of kite-making, from crafting to adding finishing tapes. However, despite the popularity of kites, the makers struggle with financial challenges. An average kite-maker earns only Rs 200-500 per day for producing around 1,000 kites, and they often take loans to make their journey to Delhi. The kites are sold at higher prices outside the kite-makers' colony, causing a profit for sellers while leaving the makers struggling. Despite the hardships, kite-making remains a full-time job for Bismil, who started at the age of eight. He laments the under-appreciation of their work, explaining that people want to fly kites but desire them at low prices. Some kite-makers have even quit the craft due to the discouraging financial situation. However, Bismil is determined to adapt and innovate, creating new designs to meet the demands of new kite-fliers.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Mintoo Lal and Ankit craft intricate kites with pop culture references.",
    "Family members handle different aspects of kite-making, but daily earnings are low.",
    "Kite-makers face financial struggles and under-appreciation for their work."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘Nobody sees our hard work’: Meet the people behind India’s colourful kite culture",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/nobody-sees-our-hard-work-meet-the-people-behind-indias-colourful-887626",
        "published": "2026-08-14T16:30:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}