Patna: Patna witnessed a breathtaking spectacle in its skies on Tuesday as the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team launched a two-day air show over the Ganga riverfront, marking the birth anniversary of Veer Kunwar Singh as Shaurya Diwas. The event, jointly organised by the Bihar government and the Ministry of Defence, is the first of its kind in the state and has brought Kunwar Singh Jayanti celebrations to new heights—quite literally.
On the opening day, nine Hawk-132 jets from the Air Force’s Bihta base delivered a dramatic aerial performance, drawing gasps from the crowd as they executed precision stunts over the JP Ganga Path. The sight was especially stirring for hundreds of schoolchildren from over 40 institutions who had gathered near Sabhyata Dwar to witness the display.
“The sight of fighter jets painting the sky with patriotism will leave an imprint on the young minds of Bihar,” said Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who called the show a tribute to Kunwar Singh’s courage during the 1857 rebellion. “For the first time, the grandeur of Kunwar Singh Jayanti is soaring into the skies,” he added.
The main event on Wednesday, which will be attended by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, promises to be even more symbolic. The Akashganga team, the Indian Air Force’s elite skydiving unit, is scheduled to perform an aerial salute featuring the image of Veer Kunwar Singh and the national tricolour, marking a historic first for the state.
Due to the national mourning declared following the death of Catholic religious leader Pope Francis, the formal inauguration ceremony has been cancelled. However, the aerial performances will continue as planned.
