Surya Kiran team paints Patna skies in tricolour, win hearts with heart formation
2
3
4
Patna: Amid the roar of jet engines and gasps of an enthused audience, the nine-aircraft
Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team
(SKAT) of
Indian Air Force
(IAF) painted the Patna skies in tricolour on Wednesday on the occasion of
Shaurya Diwas
, celebrated in honour of 1857 hero Babu
Veer Kunwar Singh
.
After leaving trails of saffron, white and green on the skyline above JP Ganga Path, the aerobatics team also painted the skies with a huge "heart and cupid" formation, symbolising their respect for Veer Kunwar Singh — who defeated the British in 1857 at the age of 80 years — and love for the residents.
The IAF's Akash Ganga skydiving team, however, did not perform on the day due to some technical glitches, said BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudi, who was present on the occasion.
Each of the manoeuvres showcased by the highly-skilled aerobatics team received resounding applause from the excited audience comprising people from all age groups and sections of society. The team impressed the gathering with awe-inspiring formation sets, including most famous 360-degree movement display by the planes, sudden diving and moving in different directions, reassembling in one row from different directions, and the disciplined and perfect synchronisation of the jets for 'A' formation.
It was a splendid moment when the SKAT jets left the tricolour trails behind up in the sky amid cheers of the audience and a patriotic fervour. And when the nine fighter jets formed the heart shape around the end of the air show, they truly won the hearts of the residents, many also witnessing the splendour from the rooftops of their building in nearby areas.
Kanwal Jeet Sandhu from SKAT, who was doing a live commentary of the performances, explained the aerobatic displays and manoeuvrings of the fighter jets in easily comprehensible terms for the audience. She was soon joined by BJP MP Rudi.
Wing Commander Arjun Patel, who is part of the SKAT, said the aerobatics team, unique in the world and only one of its kind in Asia, was known as the "ambassador of IAF". "The air shows were organised in various cities across the country in order to display the might of the IAF, and also encourage and motivate youngsters to join the armed forces," he said, expressing happiness on witnessing the huge over-joyed Patna crowd. "We were equally excited to perform in front of such an enthusiastic and appreciative gathering."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Retirement of MiG fighter jets, concerns grow over delayed Tejas induction, shrinking combat strength
NEW DELHI: While preparations are underway to bid adieu to the last squadron of MiG aircraft on 19 September at Chandigarh this year, anxieties persist regarding the falling number of combat squadrons and, more significantly, the slow pace of production of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) intended to replace these longest-serving fighter jets. The jets of the Number 23 Squadron, MiG-21, will be flying for the last time. Inducted into the IAF in 1963, the MiG-21 was initially acquired for the role of a high-altitude interceptor. It was later retasked for ground attack. The USSR had designed it to counter aircraft such as the American U-2 spy plane. The first induction of the Russian-origin single-engine MiG-21 fighters took place in 1963, with different versions joining the IAF subsequently. As of now, the IAF continues to operate one squadron of the MiG-21 Bison at Suratgarh. A squadron in the IAF comprises 16–18 aircraft. However, an element of anxiety persists within the combat fraternity of the Air Force: following the retirement of the 23 Squadron, the IAF's combat squadron strength will fall to its lowest ever—29 squadrons—against the sanctioned strength of 42. 'It is a logical move as there is a shift in aerial combat—from close combat to acquisition and attack with missiles, which initially ranged a few kilometres but now exceed 100 kms,' said a fighter pilot, adding, 'The war now includes electronic warfare and has progressed to an informatised format.' The move was long due and aligns with existing plans, as the aircraft has long lived its age. 'The Pakistan Air Force, which inducted the F-104 long back, no longer operates that aircraft,' said a source. The concern, however, is not the retirement of the MiGs itself; it is the absence of a clear and timely replacement. 'The delays in induction of indigenously manufactured Light Combat Aircraft Tejas,' said the source. Overall, the Indian Air Force operated 24 fighter squadrons and four training units of MiG-21s. The IAF flew over 850 MiG-21s over six decades—a scale unmatched by most air forces. The aircraft, often nicknamed the 'Flying Coffin', saw approximately 300 losses in accidents. Interestingly, the birth of Tejas is closely linked with the MiG's phase-out. It is due to delays in the LCA project that the IAF took time in retiring the MiG-21s and replacing them with the indigenously developed Tejas, the source explained. The LCA was conceived in the late 1980s to replace the MiG-21s. After decades of delays due to production issues, the IAF now possesses 40 of the initial lot of Tejas aircraft. Last year, the IAF signed a ₹48,000-crore deal for 83 Tejas Mk1A fighters. As The New Indian Express reported earlier, the IAF is keen to induct close to 100 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighters. Once this order is fulfilled over the stipulated 15 years, the IAF will have 40 LCA, over 180 LCA Mk-1A, and at least 120 LCA Mk-2 aircraft. The first Tejas aircraft flew in 2001—17 years after the programme was initiated. The actual induction started 15 years later, in 2016. The first indigenous LCA was inducted in July 2016. The first IAF squadron to receive the Tejas was No. 45 Squadron, the 'Flying Daggers', which was earlier a MiG-21 Bis squadron. Tejas Mk1A is the newer and improved version of India's single-engine, 4.5-generation delta wing multirole combat aircraft, designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency. The delays in Tejas deliveries have caused anxiety, culminating in a 'no confidence' remark from the IAF Chief in February. The delay in the delivery of Tejas fighter aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) led to the comment by Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. While inspecting an aircraft at Aero India 2025, Singh was heard telling HAL officials, 'I can only tell you what our requirements and our worries are... At the moment, I am just not confident of HAL, which is a very wrong thing to happen.' The video was captured and posted by the defence news channel NationalDefence. However, HAL officials have expressed confidence in delivering 12 Tejas fighters in this financial year. The Air Chief highlighted that the force has yet to receive all 40 Tejas Mk1 jets ordered in 2010. The Indian Air Force currently operates only 36 Tejas Mk1 jets, with four deliveries still pending. Since the 1960s, MiGs have touched the lives of every IAF pilot, directly or indirectly. As September approaches, the feeling of melancholy among them is only natural.
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- The Hindu
Delay in road restoration irks commuters in Nagercoil
Motorists commuting through most roads in Nagercoil Corporation limits often experience a bumpy ride, primarily due to the roads dug up for infrastructure development works like Underground Drainage System (UGDS) and ongoing drinking water projects. These works often resulted in the delay in road restoration. In several areas, the patch work carried out is of poor quality, which usually washes away after even a brief spell of rain. Due to the ongoing drinking water project, people are struggling with the stretch from Kottar to Malik Dinar school, which has been dug up and left unrestored. As one of the key commercial corridors within the corporation limits, the condition of the road has irked the commuters. Divakaran, an autorickshaw driver said that major infrastructural work like this should ideally be undertaken during summer vacation. Highlighting the poor condition of the road near the St. Joseph Convent Higher Secondary School, he added, 'It has become extremely rough during the school hours in morning and evening, as the vehicles are forced to travel on these non motorable roads.' In the case of UGDS work, the project is being developed at a cost of ₹129 crore, with the UGDS network spanning 1,15,923 meters with 4,667 manholes, a pumping station at Vadiveewsaram and a sewage treatment plant at Valampurivilai dumping yard. However, of the 52 wards in the corporation, the work has been completed in only 17 wards, officials said. Syed Meeran from Elankadai pointed out that several manholes are not aligned with the road surface and pose a significant risk to commuters. 'The manholes must be levelled equal to the roads. But in this area many are few inches below the surface, particularly in the middle of the road.' Mr. Meeran added that the officials should ensure all restoration and development works do not pose safety risk to road users. While several councilors have been actively urging the government to speed up the UGDS work and road restoration, the work still progresses at a snail pace in many of the city, residents charged. Meena Dev, a BJP Councillor from Nagercoil Corporation said the UGDS project has been ongoing in the corporation for more than seven years, which definitely needs to accelerate its speed. She noted that many corporations which had begun after Nagercoil had completed the project. 'If the road has been dug up in an area, it has to be completely restored before moving to another area. But here the contractors are moving from one place to another place without complete restoration,' Ms. Meena Dev added. Speaking to The Hindu, Nagercoil Corporation Mayor R. Mahesh said that orders have been issued for the new road from Anna Bus Stand and preparatory works have already commenced. He added that the ongoing project for drinking water from Poigai dam, under the AMRUT scheme is underway. 'The UGDS works had been completed in 17 wards and other wards will commence shortly,' he noted.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Border courtesy continues between BSF, Pakistan Rangers
1 2 Amritsar: Even as Operation Sindoor remains on hold, an unwritten understanding continues between India's Border Security Force ( BSF ) and the Pakistan Rangers , reflecting mutual respect for rank and established border decorum. This courtesy persists even as the border gates between the two countries remain closed under the operation. At joint check posts (JCPs) in Punjab, where the two borders are separated by mere feet, junior officers or personnel customarily salute or come to attention upon encountering a senior-ranking official from the other side. This practice is most evident during patrols, security reviews, and joint meetings between the two forces. Referring to his recent visit to the Hussainiwala post, inspector general (IG) BSF, Punjab Frontier, Atul Fulzele said, "When I visited the Hussainiwala JCP, officers on the Pakistan side saluted me." He added that the gesture is reciprocal, with junior Indian officers also saluting senior-ranking Pakistani officers. According to him, this is part of a long-standing traditional border protocol observed by both forces. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Watching Videos Can Boost Your Income TheDaddest Undo Former IG BSF, Punjab Frontier, MS Malhi, said that although it may seem surprising that forces prepared to confront each other show respect for rank, this tradition of mutual courtesy continues despite the suspension of Operation Sindoor. He explained that this is a standard border practice, as personnel interact daily. Regardless of nationality, junior officers show respect to senior officers based on rank, which is universally recognised. Since the rank badges, dating back to British colonial times, are similar on both sides, personnel can easily identify and acknowledge each other's rank. "It is simply a routine gesture of respect," he said. Another former IG BSF, Punjab Frontier, Himmat Singh, added that junior officers mostly salute seniors during official meetings. "But sometimes, out of traditional border courtesy, the junior officials come to attention on seeing a senior officer of the other country," he said.
