Varanasi: The skies over Kashi turned into a spectacular canvas of air power, patriotism and cultural pride as around 100 aircraft from 12 Indian Air Force (IAF) air bases roared over the Ganga, leaving thousands of spectators spellbound on both banks of the river in Varanasi and Chandauli. The three-day air show, ‘Wings Over Ganga’, organised to mark the 94th anniversary of the IAF’s foundation, formally began in Varanasi on Thursday, bringing an extraordinary aerial spectacle to the holy city.
As the first aircraft thundered over the Ganga, the ghats resonated with cheers, chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Har Har Mahadev”, and applause from spectators gazing excitedly at the sky. Families turned up with children, and several visitors said they had never imagined witnessing such an air show in the city. People, particularly from districts across Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh), gathered in large numbers at ghats on the sis-Ganga side and on the sand beds across the river to witness the display. The riverfront wore a festive look from the morning, with the district administration and police putting in place elaborate security and crowd-management arrangements. For many spectators, the show was a historic experience for Varanasi. Many thanked Prime Minister and local MP Narendra Modi for hosting the event, saying it filled them with pride and could inspire children to learn more about the armed forces and consider joining the IAF in the future.