Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team paints Hyderabad skies in tricolour

Hyderabad

The city witnessed a dazzling display of aerial artistry on Sunday as the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) painted the skies above the Hussainsagar in the colours of the national flag. The air show was part of the Praja Palana Vijayotsavalu celebrations, marking one year of Congress governance in Telangana.

Despite the day starting off with cloudy weather, the skies cleared, and thousands of Hyderabadis braved the scorching sun to witness the event. Enthusiastic spectators began arriving as early as 2 p.m., well ahead of the scheduled 4 p.m. starting time. With traffic restrictions implemented around the venue, many chose to arrive early to secure good vantage points.

However, the show’s commencement awaited the arrival of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Once Mr. Reddy reached the venue at around 4 p.m., the excitement peaked as nine Hawk MK 132 aircraft took off into the skies, showcasing breath-taking maneuvres such as loops, rolls, crosses, and inverted flying.

Rare spectacle

For many, the event was a rare spectacle. “We came from Moula Ali just for the air show, as such events rarely happen in Hyderabad. My eight-year-old son, who is fascinated by fighter planes, was even more excited than me,” shared Mohd Ashraf, a local resident.

Ramesh Kumar, a migrant worker from Bihar, expressed his delight at the experience. “I have never seen airplanes from such close proximity. I really enjoyed the show. I hope more such events happen, not just in Hyderabad but across the country,” he said. Ramesh had brought along his wife, two daughters, and his father to witness the show.

The 40-minute air show left the audience, including the Chief Minister and other dignitaries, in awe. To accommodate the large gathering, organisers had set up camps distributing water packets, ensuring the public stayed hydrated amid the heat.

As the event concluded, the crowd dispersed, leaving behind memories of a vibrant tricolour-streaked sky.

Surya Kiran team consists of nine Hawk Mk 132 aircraft flying in extremely close proximity at a distance of merely 5 metres. There are 12 pilots in the team. The team leader is a Su-30 MKI pilot Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi. The Deputy Leader is Group Captain Sidhesh Kartik. Other pilots include Squadron Leader Jasdeep Singh, Squadron Leader Himkhush Chandel, Squadron Leader Ankit Vashisth, Squadron Leader Vishnu, Squadron Leader Diwakar Sharma, Squadron Leader Gaurav Patel, Wing Commander Rajesh Kajla, Wing Commander Arjun Patel, Wing Commander Kuldeep Hooda and Wing Commander Allen George.

Their technical team is led by Wing Commander Abhimanyu Tyagi, Squadron Leader Sandeep Dhayal and Flight Lieutenant Manil Sharma. The team’s commentator and administrator is Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu and the team’s doctor is Squadron Leader Sudharshan.