The iconic Rajpath connecting India Gate to Raisina Hill will turn into festivity this Sunday as the Indian Air Force will be presenting an impressive flypast by fifty aircrafts to mark the completion of 50 years of the 1965 war.
Several frontline fighters of the IAF will be part of the flypast, which will be conducted on the scale of similar to Republic Day and the IAF Day, sources in the South Block told UNI.
The Flypast will consist of strategic aircraft like C-17 Globemasters, C-130J Super Hercules, IL-76 and helicopters of various types, including the indigenously built Advance Light Helicopter Dhruv and most modern Chopper of Russian origin Mi-17V-5.
These aircrafts will enthrall the spectators at India Gate lawns with various breathtaking manoeuvre like 'Chakra' formation, Chakra Vic formation, Hercules formation and the big boy formation, comprising strategic lift aircraft.
Then the breath-taking Trishul formation comprising three Su-30 MkI would fly over the Rajpath, and the Su-30 MkI aircraft will split upwards, making a Trishul in the sky. The flypast will conclude with another Su-30 MkI carrying out a Vertical Charlie manoeuvre.
Before the real event, the IAF will be carrying out rehearsal for the same tomorrow and the day after, said the sources.
The Indo-Pak conflict of 1965 is a corner stone in the annals of Military History of the Indian sub continent, during which, the IAF was awarded three Maha Vir Chakras and 43 Vir Chakras for their exemplary acts of courage. Air Veterans of yesteryears reminisced about their glory days recalling tales of Valour.
The Armed Forces are in the midst of organising a series of events to mark the Golden Jubilee of the 1965 Indo - Pak War. A total of six events are being organised to pay tribute to the collective resolve of the nation and the valour & sacrifice of The Armed Forces.
The commemoration events were kicked off on August 28, with the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and President Pranab Mukherjee laying a wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti. On this very day 50 years ago the Indian Armed Forces had captured the strategic Hajipir Pass in response to Pakistans Operation Gibraltar, aimed at wresting Kashmir by sending in armed infiltrators.
As part of the celebration a six-day long Exhibition (Shauryanjali ) is being organised in the India Gate lawns, which will also come to close on Sunday.
As a culmination of the Exhibition, a Carnival ( Indradhanush ) is being organised on the same day. The day long event would have martial displays by service contingents and music and dance shows by event management companies. On the spot painting competitions, reality and magic shows are also planned during the Carnival. A 100 piece symphony band from Mayo College would also be performing during the Carnival.