Three aircraft formations of Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30MKI, Mig-29 and Jaguar fighter jets as well as C-130 transport aircraft performed a flypast on Rajpath in the national capital on Sunday which is otherwise only done as part of the Republic Day parade on January 26. The display was part of the armed forces efforts to show gratitude to all corona warriors. Fighter aircraft also carried out flypasts over several cities across the country while military helicopters showered petals on hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.
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“Two C-130J transport aircraft flew from Srinagar to Kanyakumari as part of the North-South leg and the East-West leg was done by three SU-30MKI fighter aircraft which flew from Dibrugarh to Ahmedabad,” the IAF said in a statement. The aircraft flew between a height of 500 meters to 1000 meters keeping aerospace safety in mind especially with respect to bird activity.
The two C-130 aircraft which went from Srinagar to Trivandrum were carrying 3 tonnes of COVID-19 load and covered a distance of 5004 kms in 10 hr 10 min without refuelling, IAF said.
MI 17 helicopter showering flower petals on doctors of Guwahati Medical Collage Hospital.
35 aircraft
In all, the IAF said around 35 aircraft were utilised, which includes 10 fighters, four transport aircraft and 20 helicopters. IAF helicopters dropped flower petals in 20 cities and 58 hospitals across India.
The efforts of the armed forces began at 9:30 in the morning with a wreath laying at the national police memorial and showering of petals by an IAF Mi-17 helicopter to honour the sacrifices of the police across the country.
Appreciating the efforts of the armed forces, the Defence Ministry quoted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as saying: “The Armed Forces today organised several activities to express gratitude to the corona warriors who are battling against the pandemic. These frontline warriors are doing commendable work in strengthening the morale of all those involved in India’s fight against COVID-19.”
An IAF helicopter showering flower petals on Chirayu Hospital in Bhopal.
Naval human chain
Indian Navy personnel on board the Navy’s sole aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya expressed their appreciation by forming a human chain saying ‘Indian Navy salutes Corona warriors’.
“Personnel on board Indian Navy Ships mission deployed From the West to East in Indian Ocean Region, expressed their appreciation and salute the Corona warriors including soctors, nurses, other health workers, sanitation staff and police personnel who have been relentlessly fighting against the COVID pandemic,” the Navy said in a statement.
In all, 25 Indian Naval warships across nine port cities including in Andaman and Nicobar Islands carried out illumination from 7:30 p.m. till mid-night, the Navy stated. In addition four mission deployed ships also took part to express their gratitude while 15 helicopters and aircraft took part in showering flower petals and flypast in coastal cities.
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships were illuminated at 25 locations covering the entire coastline of the country including far flung island territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands, a statement said. A total of 46 ICG ships and 10 helicopters took part in the initiative including dropping petals on hospitals in Chennai and Goa.
Helicopter showering flower petals on doctors and medical staff at Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Tahirpur area in New Delhi on Sunday.
Army and IAF bands visited COVID hospitals and played tunes in an expression of gratitude. In New Delhi, helicopters showered petals on 12 hospitals treating COVID-19 patients between 10 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. including AIIMS, Sir Gangaram Hospital and Army’s Research and Referal (R&R).
Morale booster
In return, several hospitals thanked the armed forces for their gesture. In a letter to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Bipin Rawat , the Resident Doctors Association of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences appreciated the “morale boosting” gesture by the defence services in solidarity with them to fight the pandemic.
This effort of the armed forces was announced by Gen. Rawat in a press conference in the presence of the three Service Chiefs on Friday.
