Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of 94th Raising Day of the Indian Air Force, visited Varanasi to witness the Indian Air Force’s aerial display titled ‘Wings Over Ganges’ at Namo Ghat.
Marking the 94th Raising Day of the Indian Air Force, the 90-minute flypast featured 94 aircraft, including frontline fighter jets like Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and Tejas, alongside Prachand combat helicopters and the Surya Kiran aerobatics team. Aircraft from the Army and Navy also participated in joint formations.
During his visit to his constituency, the PM also inaugurated a new garment manufacturing facility at Arvind Mills. The newly inaugurated garment unit aims to boost industrial growth in Uttar Pradesh, create local employment for women, and link Banarasi textiles with global markets.
Over 100 aircraft, including around 52 fighter jets, 15 transport aircraft, and 32 helicopters, take part across 25 flight formations above the River Ganga.
Other dignitaries like Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also attended the event in Varanasi. Huge crowds, including local residents and school students, also gathered along the ghats and bridges to witness the aerial display.
Meanwhile, an opposition leader questioned the scheduling of the aerial display during the 488-year-old traditional Bharat Milap celebrations in Kashi. The speaker further targeted the central government over border security, citing viral remarks by the ITBP Director General and alleging silence over Chinese transgressions along the borders in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.