With airshow over Varanasi’s ghats, IAF marks its 94th anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi observed the “Wings Over Ganges” airshow on Sunday from the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi. The event marked the 94th anniversary of the Indian Air Force. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the ceremony. The display combined military aviation with the cultural landscape of the ancient city. Aircraft formations flew over the river and the historic ghats. The demonstration featured fighter jets, helicopters, transport planes, and aerobatic teams. Indigenous Tejas fighters executed specific maneuvers. French Rafale and Russian Sukhoi-30MKI jets also participated. The nine-aircraft Surya Kiran acrobatic team performed synchronized displays that received applause from spectators on both riverbanks. Formations were named after local religious landmarks, including “Ganga,” “Vishwanath,” and “Dashashwamedh.” Three Chetak helicopters flew over the water while flowers were released as a tribute to the river. An “Omkar” formation consisting of three Mi-17 V5 helicopters carried the national and IAF flags. Mirage-2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 jets provided additional flying demonstrations. Transport and surveillance aircraft joined the lineup. A simulated aerial combat sequence illustrated coordination and decision-making in air operations. Before the airshow, Modi traveled from the Police Lines helipad to Namo Ghat. He exited his vehicle to greet residents lining the roughly eight kilometer route. Cultural performances occurred at twelve locations along the path. Drumbeats, damru music, and conch shells filled the air as crowds chanted slogans such as “Har Har Mahadev” and “Jai Shri Ram.” Many people recorded video footage of the convoy moving toward the venue. This was Modi’s parliamentary constituency. During the visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated a garment manufacturing plant owned by Ahmedabad-based Arvind Limited. The facility is located in Khochawan within the Mirzamurad area. It occupies approximately seven acres and cost 150 crore rupees to build. The plant is designed to employ 1,000 women. More than 300 employees had already been recruited and were undergoing training at the time of the inauguration. Officials stated the event highlighted the IAF’s combat readiness and precision flying across different platforms. The presence of diverse aircraft types demonstrated operational capabilities over the sacred river. The combination of military hardware and traditional settings defined the atmosphere of the day. Spectators gathered densely along the riverbanks to watch the proceedings. The program concluded with the various aircraft completing their designated passes over the historic site. No further incidents were reported during the duration of the event. The administration coordinated security and crowd management for the large gathering. Local authorities facilitated the movement of the prime ministerial convoy through the city streets. The industrial opening served as a separate economic milestone during the political tour. Workers at the new factory expressed anticipation regarding future employment opportunities. The airshow remained the central focus of the commemorative activities.