The Basant kite festival has returned to Lahore after a 19-year ban. The city’s rooftops and narrow streets buzz with excitement as families and friends fly kites under the setting sun. The festival, marking the start of spring, was banned in 2007 due to serious injuries and deaths caused by sharp kite strings, falls, and aerial firing. Now, Basant lasts only three days with strict safety rules. Large kites are banned to reduce risks. Metal rods are fixed on motorbikes to protect riders from kite strings that could cut their throats. Nets cover some streets to stop dangerous kite strings from hitting electrical cables. Police seized over 100,000 kites and 2,100 rolls of string before the festival to prevent early flying. Faisal Kamran, Deputy Inspector General of Lahore Police, said his officers watch the skies with drones and CCTV cameras to catch any use of harmful materials or weapons. The Punjab government has promoted the festival’s safe return. Many locals enjoy the festival after so many years. Abu Bakar Ahmad, a 25-year-old tech engineer, said, "It's really difficult!" as he flew his kite with help from his cousin. Kanwal Amin, 48, said, "Flying kites is ok, but the main thing is bonding." Kashif Siddiqui, a pharmacist, talked about the family tradition: "It's not about kite and thread, it's about tradition. My father and his father before him used to do it." Mina Sikander, visiting from Miami, shared, "I'm very fond of this festival. It was worth the journey!" Yousaf Salahuddin, a long-time supporter, recalled how the festival brought life and revenue to Lahore. He said, "It was going down to the poorest - the vendors on the street, the restaurants, the people who dyed the clothes, selling shoes, bangles, everything." The city’s streets, especially around Mochi Gate, are busy with kite sellers like Usman, who sold more than 7,000 kites in just a few days. This return of Basant is more than just kite flying; it is a joyful revival of tradition and community spirit in Lahore.