The aerobatic power of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was on full display in Chennai with people glued to the sky during the first airshow underway down south on Sunday.
The event marks the 92nd celebration of the IAF, instituted on October 8, 1932.
The highly-anticipated airshow 2024 of the IAF commenced at 11 a.m. and was being watched by 15 lakh people with bated breaths at Marina Beach.
It will showcase 72 aircraft, including Rafale, indigenously manufactured state-of-the-art Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Light Combat helicopter Prachand, and Heritage aircraft Dakota.
The display was being controlled by the Air Traffic Controller at the Chennai Airport.
Dassault Rafale, Sukhoi-30, Suryakiran, and indigenously developed HAL Tejas, among others, were on display at the airshow.
Earlier, expressing concern over bird strikes, the IAF requested people not to bring eatables while attending the airshow.
The IAF's Suryakiran aerobatic team and helicopter aerobatic formation Sarang enthralled the crowd.
Chief Coordinating Officer of the Chennai Airshow, Air Vice Marshall K. Premkumar, said the Indian Air Force made major preparations for the Air Show 2024 at Chennai to enter into the Limca Book of Records.
The IAF conducted a full dress rehearsal at the airshow on Friday in coordination with the Tambaram unit of the IAF.
It is the third time the IAF conducted its airshow outside the national capital and the first time in South India.
In October 2023, the IAF conducted the airshow at Prayagraj, and in 2022, it was held in Chandigarh.
The Greater Chennai Police has deployed 6,500 cops and 1500 Home guards for the Chennai Airshow.
K. Kirubakaran, an engineering student at Chennai, told IANS, "The airshow gave me goosebumps and showed how systematic and aerobatic our pilots are. The airshow has motivated me to opt for a career in the service of the nation and after my engineering, I will join the Air Force. The airshow of the IAF has inspired me to take this decision."
EAM Jaishankar calls on visiting Maldives President Muizzu, appreciates commitment to enhance bilateral ties
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar called on Mohamed Muizzu, shortly after the Maldivian President arrived in New Delhi on a five-day state visit - his first since assuming office - at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu.
Minor's rape & murder: Calcutta HC orders victim's autopsy at a Central hospital, judicial magistrate's presence
The Calcutta High Court, at a specially convened hearing on Sunday on the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl at Jaynagar in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, directed that the autopsy of the body of the victim be conducted at a Central-run hospital in the state in presence of a judicial magistrate.
AI can be as dangerous for world as nuclear weapons: EAM Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on Sunday said that artificial intelligence (AI) will be a profound factor for the world, after nuclear weapons.
CM Adityanath announces complete ban on meat & alcohol during Mahakumbh in Prayagraj
During the Mahakumbh 2025, the sale of meat and alcohol will be prohibited within the limits of Prayagraj. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced this on Sunday in the presence of representatives from all 13 akhadas. He stated that the Mahakumbh is organised under the guidance of the akhadas, which are the flag bearers of Sanatan Dharma, with the state government providing support.
UN like an old company, occupying space in market: EAM Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Sunday stated that the United Nations (UN) is like an "old company" that is "occupying space in the market" without adapting to the changing global landscape.
RBI MPC likely to maintain status quo on policy rates: Experts
The RBI’s monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting from October 7-9 is unlikely to cut the benchmark interest rate and a dovish tone could set the direction moving forward, industry experts said on Sunday.
CBI gets clues on how Sandip Ghosh-Ashish Pandey nexus accepted cash through paper leaks
The CBI officials probing the case of financial irregularities at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata have got specific clues about how the former principal Sandip Ghosh through his house staff Ashish Pandey used to accept cash by leaking question paper to medical students eager to pay money for easy success.
CM Yogi unveils MahaKumbh-2025 logo, launches website & app
The logo will be used on the website, app, and other platforms related to the MahaKumbh event. It will guide pilgrims and tourists to the event's location by air, rail and road.