Valour Day Air Spectacle: IAF Salutes Freedom Fighter Babu Kunwar Singh Over Patna Skies

Patna– The skies above Bihar’s capital erupted in patriotic color and high-octane precision today as the Indian Air Force’s elite Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) presented a dazzling air show in tribute to one of India’s earliest freedom fighters—Babu Kunwar Singh. The performance marked the opening of a two-day celebration of Valour Day Vijayotsav, honouring the valiant hero of the 1857 uprising.

As part of the Surya Kiran air show in tribute to Babu Kunwar Singh, nine Hawk jets streaked across the sky in perfect synchrony, performing heart-stopping manoeuvres, dives, and aerial formations that left spectators breathless. The spectacle began with a dramatic paragliding descent from an IAF chopper, where personnel unfurled the national flag mid-air, drawing thunderous applause from the thousands gathered along the Patna riverfront.

The event, which drew enthusiastic participation from over 40 local schools and a wide cross-section of citizens, was not only a display of India’s aerial prowess but also a powerful tribute to Bihar’s revolutionary legacy. Children waved miniature flags, eyes wide with wonder, while veterans and dignitaries watched with pride.

“Witnessing the Surya Kiran team in action is a moment of national pride, especially when it’s dedicated to a hero like Babu Kunwar Singh,” said one attendee, a local schoolteacher who had brought her students to the event. “It’s a history lesson in the sky.”

Babu Kunwar Singh, a prominent figure in the 1857 revolt against British colonial rule, is revered across Bihar for his leadership and bravery during the uprising in the Bhojpur region. The Surya Kiran air show in tribute to Babu Kunwar Singh sought to reconnect today’s generation with that spirit of resistance and patriotism.

The air show is part of a broader cultural and historical programme organised by the Bihar government to celebrate Valour Day. The main commemorative event will take place tomorrow, April 23, and is set to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Cultural performances, historical exhibitions, and tributes from scholars and local leaders will accompany the final leg of the programme.

With Patna’s skies as their stage, the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran team not only honored a legendary freedom fighter but also inspired a city—and a generation—to look up with pride. As the Hawk jets carved arcs of unity and valor overhead, they brought history to life, one formation at a time.