Afeeling of reverence and patriotism ran through thousands of spectators gathered at Rajpath when the Indian Air Force articulately performed the breathtaking flypast at the Republic Day celebrations on Sunday. Moreover, as the parade was coming to a conclusion, 162 personnel from BSF’s motorcycling riders displayed their skills.
From saluting the President while standing on the bikes to forming a human pyramid on moving motorcycles, the acrobatics performed by bikers thoroughly entertained the audience even as many kept their fingers crossed to avoid any mishap during the brave show. The jawans, riding 30 bikes, displayed their skills while making various formations such as guldasta, side riding, ladder double, neck riding and harmony, while passing through the Rajpath.
The grand finalé of the parade was a spectacular flypast by the Indian Air Force. The flypast commenced with chakra formation, comprising three Mi-35 helicopters in ‘vic’ formation. It was followed by another ‘vic’ formation by three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Trailing them was a ‘globe’ formation comprising one C-17 Globemaster flanked by two Su-30s fighter aircraft.
Then came five Jaguars flying in an ‘arrowhead’ formation, another five MiG-29 air superiority fighters called Tridents flew in ‘fulcrum’ style. The MiG-29s were followed by three Su-30 MKI which, while flying over the saluting base split the formation, making a trishul in the sky. The finalé to the flypast was a Vertical Charlie manoeuvre by a Su-30 MKI over the saluting base.