Varanasi: The skies over Kashi turned into a spectacular theatre of aerial prowess on Wednesday as Indian Air Force fighter jets roared over the Ganga, offering a thrilling preview of “Wings over Ganges”, a mega aerial display set to begin on Thursday morning. Thousands gathered along the ghats and on the river’s opposite bank to witness the rehearsal, while the full spectacle will return on Saturday and Sunday, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other VIPs are expected to watch the show from the audience gallery at Namo Ghat.
Officials said all formations featured during Wednesday’s grand rehearsal would be showcased without any changes, including in their sequence. Wednesday’s event was a grand rehearsal for the mega show, being held for the first time in Purvanchal to inspire youths to consider joining the armed forces by familiarising them with the IAF’s capabilities. The event’s focus on young people was evident as students from various schools and colleges, including Government Queen’s College, began arriving at Namo Ghat. As the IAF fighter jets roared across the sky, thousands gathered at the ghats and on the opposite bank of the river to witness the display of the IAF’s aerospace power and its enduring commitment to national security.