Patna: Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport turned into a hub of colour, culture, and community service on 17 September as it observed Yatri Sewa Diwas, an annual initiative aimed at reaffirming its commitment to passenger care and social responsibility.
The day began with a traditional welcome, as tilak was applied to 1,823 passengers at the arrival hall, followed by refreshments. A tree plantation drive, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, saw Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha plant mahogany and amaltas saplings as a gesture of gratitude to the environment.
Culture took centre stage when folk dancers from Jackson Dance Academy performed Jhijhiya and Kajri in front of the Chhath artwork, drawing smiles — and participation — from international passengers who eagerly joined the performance.
आज #YatriSewaDiwas के शुभ अवसर पर पटना हवाई अड्डे @aaipatairport पर लोक नृत्य देखकर विदेशी यात्री भी स्वयं को रोक नहीं पाए और कलाकारों के साथ नृत्य किया। भारतीय परंपरा और वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् की भावना का यह दृश्य अद्भुत है। @RamMNK, @mohol_murlidhar, @PMOIndia, @samirsinha69,… pic.twitter.com/0smrhs2CCu
— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) September 17, 2025
For younger travellers, the terminal transformed into an impromptu classroom. Quiz and painting competitions on patriotism engaged 41 children, including foreign nationals, while plans were announced for a dedicated kids’ zone in the Security Hold Area. Branded selfie booths installed across the airport provided families and tourists with keepsake moments.
Health and outreach formed another pillar of the celebration. A blood donation camp collected 18 units, while free health check-up kiosks, set up with Jayprabha Medanta Super Speciality Hospital, screened passengers for blood pressure, sugar levels, and haemoglobin. An eye check-up camp, organised with Centre for Sight, Patna, offered free consultations to 87 auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers.
In a nod to future flyers, 36 students from three Patna schools toured the terminal and attended career guidance sessions on opportunities in aviation.
पटना हवाई अड्डा पर आज यात्री सेवा दिवस के अवसर पर पटना के सरकारी स्कूलों के 10th-12th के छात्र / छात्राओ को विमानन उद्योग में करियर को लेकर जागरूक किया गया।@AAI_Official@aairhqer@samirsinha69@vipinkumarIAS@RamMNK@mohol_murlidhar #YatriSewaDiwas#ServiceThatFliesHigh pic.twitter.com/kQrRn0Mlb9
— Patna Airport (@aaipatairport) September 17, 2025
Passenger engagement stretched into the digital sphere. Over 70 people shared experiences on social media under #yatrisewadiwas, while Prof Achyuta Samanta of KIIT praised the new terminal, calling it “heaven and hell” compared to the old one. Local vloggers also highlighted facilities in videos across Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Adding a dash of delight, the 100th customer at Malabar Moods restaurant in the departure lounge was gifted a Galaxy chocolate worth Rs 2,200.
यात्री सेवा दिवस के अवसर पर आज मुफ्त स्वास्थ्य जांच यात्रियो व हितधारको के लिये और नेत्र चिकित्सीय जांच ऑटो और कैब चालकों के लिए पटना हवाई अड्डा पर आयोजित किया गया !@AAI_Official@aairhqer@samirsinha69@vipinkumarIAS@RamMNK@mohol_murlidhar@MIB_India#YatriSewaDiw pic.twitter.com/QYmpL7KXu4
— Patna Airport (@aaipatairport) September 17, 2025
Concluding the day, Airport Director Krishan Mohan Nehra lauded the teamwork behind the event, particularly recognising the efforts of Joint GM (Operations) Jawed Akhter. “This celebration shows what we can achieve when tradition, service, and community come together,” he said.
