Indian Air Force Showcases Valour, Courage and Flying Excellence in the Skies Over Nava Raipur
Chief Minister Attends Full-Dress Rehearsal of the Sarang Aerobatic Display Team at Sendh Lake
Akash Ganga Skydiving Team, Garud Commandos and Sarang Pilots Demonstrate Courage and Exceptional Coordination Ahead of Chhattisgarh Foundation Day
Five Sarang Helicopters Captivate Spectators with Thrilling Formations and Daring Manoeuvres
Sarang Team’s Performance Exemplifies Discipline, Mutual Trust, Team Spirit and Excellence: Chief Minister
‘Chhattisgarhiya Sable Badiya’ Echoes from Sarang Cockpit; Tricolour Formation and ‘Vande Mataram’ Fill the Sky with Patriotism
Chief Minister Extends Foundation Day Greetings, Wishes Chhattisgarh Continued Progress and Prosperity
Main Sarang Air Display to Be Held at Sendh Lake on November 2
Raipur, November 1, 2026/ On the proud occasion of Chhattisgarh’s State Foundation Day, the skies over Nava Raipur witnessed the Indian Air Force’s valour, courage, discipline and exceptional flying skills. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the full-dress rehearsal of the Indian Air Force’s world-renowned Sarang Aerobatic Display Team at Sendh Lake in Nava Raipur today.
On the occasion, the brave personnel of the Indian Air Force’s Akash Ganga Skydiving Team, Garud Commandos and Sarang Helicopter Display Team thrilled the gathering with daring manoeuvres, precise control and remarkable coordination. The captivating tricolour formations in the sky, impressive helicopter formations and the strains of ‘Vande Mataram’ filled the atmosphere with patriotism and national pride.
Appreciating the outstanding performance of the Air Force personnel, Chief Minister Shri Sai said the Sarang team’s participation in the state’s Foundation Day celebrations is a matter of immense pride and joy. The courage, discipline, confidence and precision demonstrated by the air warriors were an inspiration to every citizen, especially young people. He said the event is not merely a display of thrilling aerial manoeuvres, but a vivid demonstration of the Indian Air Force’s exceptional capabilities, rigorous training, dedication and spirit of national service. Chief Minister extended his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of Chhattisgarh on the state’s Foundation Day. He expressed hope that Chhattisgarh would continue to reach new heights of development, progress and prosperity. He said the spectacular performance by the Air Force personnel had further enhanced the people’s enthusiasm and pride during the Foundation Day celebrations.
Shri Sai said that ‘Sarang’ means peacock. Just as the peacock symbolises India’s distinctive identity and beauty, the Sarang team represents the Indian Air Force’s dignity, exceptional skills and discipline. He said the people of Chhattisgarh were witnessing a proud celebration that brought together the joy of the state’s foundation and the valour, discipline and courage of the Indian Air Force. The skies over Nava Raipur were bearing witness to the remarkable skill, courage and coordination of the air warriors.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that while the helicopters’ formations and daring manoeuvres may appear effortless and graceful, they are the result of detailed planning, continuous practice, intense concentration and extraordinary coordination. Each pilot must remain fully aware of both their own role and the movements of their teammates. Unwavering trust and precise coordination under highly challenging conditions make such performances possible. He said the Sarang team’s display conveyed an important message: discipline, dedication, collective effort and mutual trust can help achieve even the most difficult goals.
Akash Ganga Skydivers Demonstrate Courage and Precise Control
The thrilling aerial display began with a performance by the Indian Air Force’s renowned Akash Ganga Skydiving Team. Leaping from the open sky, the team members skilfully controlled their parachutes and demonstrated remarkable courage, balance and precision. As they descended from a great height, the skydivers manoeuvred their parachutes according to the designated direction and speed, making precise landings at the marked location in front of Sendh Lake. Their descent from the sky was a source of excitement and anticipation for the spectators. As the personnel landed safely at the designated spot, the venue erupted in applause. The audience cheered the air warriors for their courage and exceptional training.
The Akash Ganga team’s performance offered an impressive glimpse of the Air Force personnel’s physical fitness, mental resilience, ability to maintain composure in difficult conditions and high-level training.
Garud Commandos Showcase Special Operations Skills in Challenging Conditions
Following the Akash Ganga team’s performance, the Indian Air Force’s Garud Commandos demonstrated a daring slithering manoeuvre from an Mi-17 helicopter. Descending by ropes from a helicopter hovering in the air, the commandos showcased their ability to reach a designated location in difficult and challenging conditions.
After landing, the Garud Commandos carried out an impressive rescue and combat operation in front of Sendh Lake, following which they saluted the stage. Their descent from a hovering helicopter and execution of the operation at the designated location thrilled the spectators.
The demonstration showcased the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force’s special forces, their ability to respond swiftly, rigorous training and proficiency in completing missions under difficult conditions. The audience applauded the commandos’ courage and disciplined performance.
Five Sarang Helicopters Thrill Spectators with Daring Aerial Manoeuvres
The highlight of the aerial display was the spectacular performance by the Indian Air Force’s world-renowned Sarang Helicopter Display Team. Led by Group Captain Shri Abhijit Kumar, the team’s five helicopters performed a series of impressive formations and daring manoeuvres in the skies over Nava Raipur.
The Sarang pilots demonstrated exceptional skill, flying their helicopters with precise control, balance and coordination. The formation of five helicopters flying together captivated the audience. At times, the helicopters appeared to approach each other closely; at other moments, they flew in different directions before regrouping in their designated formation. The daring ‘crossover’ manoeuvre, in which the helicopters crossed each other at close range, left spectators holding their breath. The audience watched in amazement as the helicopters passed one another at high speed. The pilots’ concentration, control and precise coordination were evident throughout the manoeuvre.
Through a series of striking formations and thrilling aerial manoeuvres, the Sarang team showcased the Indian Air Force’s technical proficiency, professional excellence and daring flying skills. The audience’s excitement grew with every new formation, and spectators repeatedly applauded the air warriors.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai watched the thrilling display with enthusiasm and appreciated the pilots’ courage, discipline and exceptional coordination.
‘Chhattisgarhiya Sable Badiya’ Echoes from the Sarang Cockpit
On the occasion of Chhattisgarh’s State Foundation Day, the Sarang team also expressed its special affection and respect for the state. During the aerial display, Group Captain Shri Abhijit Kumar greeted the people of Chhattisgarh from the helicopter cockpit with the state’s popular slogan, ‘Chhattisgarhiya Sable Badiya’.
The warm greeting from the sky doubled the enthusiasm of the gathering. The Air Force personnel’s gesture of recognising Chhattisgarh’s distinctive identity and the sentiments of its people made the moment especially memorable.
Tricolour Formation and ‘Vande Mataram’ Fill the Sky with Patriotism
In the final phase of the aerial display, the Sarang team presented a captivating tricolour formation to the strains of ‘Vande Mataram’. The vibrant colours of the national flag filled the atmosphere with national pride and patriotism. The magnificent formation left spectators deeply moved. The helicopters’ remarkable coordination, the colours of the Tricolour and the patriotic song created an unforgettable spectacle.
The aerial display concluded on a grand and memorable note, celebrating valour, courage, discipline and patriotism. The event introduced the people of Chhattisgarh to the Indian Air Force’s excellence and proud tradition of national service.
Sarang Team Has Enhanced India’s Prestige Across the World
The Indian Air Force’s Sarang Helicopter Display Team is notable as the world’s only aerobatic display team featuring five helicopters. Through its planned aerial manoeuvres, striking formations and exceptional flying skills, the team showcases the Indian Air Force’s precision, discipline, professionalism and high standards of training.
The Sarang team has enhanced India’s prestige through spectacular displays in several countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Mauritius, Russia and Egypt. Its performances at international events have demonstrated the Indian Air Force’s proficiency, courage, technological excellence and outstanding coordination.
The team’s presence in Nava Raipur on Chhattisgarh’s State Foundation Day was a special moment of pride for the people of the state.
Main Sarang Air Display at Sendh Lake on November 2
Following today’s full-dress rehearsal, the Indian Air Force’s Sarang Aerobatic Display Team will present its main aerial performance at Sendh Lake in Nava Raipur tomorrow, November 2.
The thrilling event, organised as part of Rajyotsav, will offer the people of Chhattisgarh a special opportunity to witness the Indian Air Force’s remarkable valour, courage, discipline and flying skills at close quarters. The daring performances by the Akash Ganga Skydiving Team, Garud Commandos and Sarang team will add grandeur to the state’s Foundation Day celebrations and make them even more memorable.
Food Minister Shri Dayaldas Baghel, Skill Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, MLA Shri Dharamlal Kaushik, Smt. Kaushalya Sai, public representatives, dignitaries, Indian Air Force officials and a large number of people were present on the occasion.
