Forces salute Corona warriors
Loud cheers and clapping broke out when the IAF copter began showering petals
The Indian Armed Forces on Sunday undertook flypasts across the country, showered petals on hospitals from helicopters, laid wreaths at police memorials and illuminated ships to express gratitude towards those involved in the fight against Covid-19.
Army bands also played patriotic tunes at various hospitals throughout the country to express the nation’s gratitude to healthcare workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.
The IAF fighter aircraft, Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-29 and Jaguar, flew over Rajpath in Delhi and Marine Drive in Mumbai to present an aerial salute to the Corona warriors. IAF fighter jets also flew over various state assemblies.
IAF transport aircraft also took part in these flypasts including over Dal Lake in Srinagar, Hussainsagar in Hyderabad and Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh among others. C 130J Hercules transporters flew over the national capital.
The Indian Navy’s Dornier aircraft, Sea King helicopter, Advanced Light Helicopter, and Chetak helicopter undertook a flypast over Kochi’s landmark Marine Drive. This was followed by a steampast by seven Fast Interceptor Craft of the Navy, in the channel, displaying a banner thanking the Corona Warriors.
Indian Navy personnel formed a human chain on the flagship aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya to thank the frontline workers for their unwavering commitment.
These activities started after a wreath laying ceremony on behalf of the service chiefs at the National Police Memorial in the national capital and at police memorials across the country.
An Indian Air Force helicopter also showered flower petals on the National Police Memorial in Delhi.
The armed forces on Sunday paid rich tributes to medical personnel in the state at the forefront of the battle against Covid-19 with the biggest spectacle occurring at Gandhi Hospital, where an Indian Air Force helicopter flying over the hospital and showering petals on doctors, nurses, paramedical, technical and sanitary staff.
The event was muchanticipated ever since Friday’s announcement by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Bipin Rawat's, announcement that the three military services will honour the frontline staff in the Covid-19 battle. In another event at Sir Ronald Ross Institute of Tropical Medicine, better known as the Fever Hospital, an Indian Army band celebrated the services of medical and other staff in battling Covid-19 by playing a series of patriotic songs.
In the afternoon, in an event overshadowed by those at Gandhi and Fever Hospitals, two military transport aircraft that set off earlier in the day from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir to Thiruvanthapuram in Kerala, flew over Hussainsagar. At Gandhi Hospital, the entire staff turned out and waited for the IAF helicopter to arrive. Loud cheers and clapping broke out when the IAF personnel in the copter began showering petals on the gathering below. Among those present in addition to senior medical and health department officials were city police chief Anjani Kumar and other senior police officials.
Many nearby residents who gathered on roofs of their buildings joined in the cheering.
At the Fever Hospital in Nallakunta, the Army band played music and patriotic songs. About 300 staff of the hospital were present. Army officers felicitated Dr K. Padmaja, resident medical officer.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Dr Padmaja, said; “This is the greatest honour in my 28 years of medical service, I only did my duty, honestly, my team was working tirelessly.” He added “Earlier, we have dealt with many diseases such as swineflu, viral fevers but this Covid-19 is the real pandemic we are now dealing with.”