Karnal, Feb. 4 -- Basant Panchami, which is associated with the lively tradition of kite flying, has unfortunately been marred by the rampant use of banned glass-coated kite strings that has become a death trap for birds.

While the loss of life of the birds cannot be quantified, scores of them get injured in incidents related to glass-coated kite strings on the festival and only a few lucky ones are able to find their way to Jivo Manglam.

A dedicated bird's care home that is run by Sadhvi Shri Jagdishmati Ji Charitable Trust, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Sector 6 of Karnal, Jivo Manglam has saved thousands of injured and sick birds since 2002.

A week before the festival and a week that follows, the place gets most of the bi...