The sky above Sendh Reservoir in Nava Raipur transformed into a theatre of color, thunder, and national pride today as the Indian Air Force’s elite aerobatic team, Surya Kiran, performed a breathtaking air show marking the 25th anniversary of Chhattisgarh’s statehood.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Governor Ramen Deka, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, and Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, along with thousands of citizens, watched in awe as fighter jets streaked across the horizon in perfect synchrony.
The SuryaKiran team, moving in seamless formation, performed an array of daring maneuvers over the shimmering waters of Sendh Reservoir. When the jets released the colors of the Indian tricolor into the blue expanse, chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” erupted from the crowd, reverberating across Nava Raipur. From high above, SuryaKiran team leader Group Captain Ajay Dashrathi extended greetings to the people of Chhattisgarh on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee. In a deeply emotional moment, Squadron Leader Gaurav Patel, a native of Chhattisgarh, saluted his home state from his cockpit, declaring “Jai Johar!” and “Chhattisgarhiya Sabse Badhiya!,” drawing cheers from the spectators below.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap, Food Minister Dayal Das Baghel, Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Revenue Minister Tankram Verma, Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary, Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade, Skill Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, and Member of Parliament Brijmohan Agrawal were among the dignitaries present.
For a full hour, the Surya Kiran team displayed unmatched discipline, precision, and teamwork, executing gravity-defying aerobatic formations. Thousands gathered around the reservoir, mesmerized by the agility and coordination of the pilots. Under the command of Wing Commander A.V. Singh, the One-F-9 and One-F-8 helicopter units presented spectacular slippery and sky-operation maneuvers. From “Adidev” helicopters hovering just 15 meters above the ground, 14 Garud Commandos rappelled down using ropes, while eight others performed aerial movements during the sky-operation segment-simulating combat and disaster-rescue scenarios.
The crowd gasped as nine Hawk Mk-132 aircraft from the Surya Kiran team carved formations like Heart, Diamond, Loop, Grover, Dawn Light, and Combat Tejas against the sky. Each maneuver drew waves of applause, especially when the jets painted a tricolor trail across the clouds. Spectators, young and old alike, captured the aerial ballet on cameras and phones, unwilling to miss a single move.
In one of the most memorable moments, the fighter pilots traced a heart formation in the sky to celebrate Chhattisgarh’s 25th Foundation Day, followed by a symbolic DNA formation in the colors of the Indian flag-representing India’s spirit woven into every citizen. They then performed a full 360° roll, flying inverted, and sculpted the letter Y in the sky, dedicated to the youth of India. Beyond entertainment, the air show was a message of courage, national pride, and inspiration-urging young citizens to serve the nation through the armed forces.
The participation of Squadron Leader Gaurav Patel added a personal touch to the spectacle. His high-speed salute to his home state became a symbol of the deep emotional bond between Chhattisgarh and the Indian Air Force. Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu, serving as the live commentator, narrated the aerial choreography with insight into the precision, training, and risk management that define every maneuver.
Formed in 1996, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) remains Asia’s only nine-aircraft formation aerobatic team and one of the world’s few elite squadrons of its kind. Operating India’s indigenously manufactured HAL Hawk Mk-132 aircraft, the team showcases the Indian Air Force’s hallmark of discipline, excellence, and precision flying.
The squadron’s mission goes far beyond performance-it seeks to inspire the youth of India to serve in the armed forces and to ignite a sense of national pride. With 13 pilots, three engineering officers, one commentator, and one medical officer, the team has performed over 700 shows across India and has represented the nation at international air shows in China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
Every Surya Kiran pilot undergoes intense and prolonged training to achieve flawless synchronization in close formation flying-a feat that demands extraordinary concentration and trust. Watching nine jets move as if guided by a single will is not only a visual marvel but also a reflection of India’s unwavering discipline unity and strength.
This Silver Jubilee air show was not just a performance-it was a celebration of courage unity and the soaring spirit of a state and a nation looking confidently toward the future.