New Delhi: As a gesture of gratitude towards all Corona Warriors in India, the IAF (Indian Air Force) and the ICG (Indian Coast Guard) will shower petals on COVID-19 hospitals in various locations across the country. While the IAF will drop petals over Coronavirus hospitals in New Delhi, the ICG will do the same for hospitals along the coastline on May 3.
"As a gesture of gratitude to all the Corona Warriors in India, IAF along with sister services is planning to salute these brave warriors of India in its own unique way. The planned fly past of the aircraft of the Indian Air Force is to salute the brave COVID warriors who have been tirelessly and selflessly working during these unprecedented times of corona virus pandemic," the Ministry of Defence said.
A number of aircraft of Indian Air Force are planned to do a fly past over Delhi and NCR region on May 3. This flying activity is combined along with the training activity of IAF and opportunity flight for transport aircraft and helicopters who are involved in moving supplies related to COVID-19 task.
"The aerial salute to the Corona Warriors will be planned over Delhi between 1000-1030 hrs. Fighter aircraft formations, comprising of the Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-29 and Jaguar will be flying over Rajpath, and will orbit over Delhi and will be visible to the residents of Delhi from their roof tops. In addition, C-130 transport aircraft will follow a similar profile as fighters covering the entire Delhi and NCR region. The aircraft will be flying at an approximate height of 500 meters to 1000 meters keeping Aerospace safety in mind especially in respect of bird activity," the statement said.
Additionally, helicopters are planned to carry out petal drop over Police War Memorial at 0900 h followed by Delhi hospitals involved in providing relief to patients of COVID-19 between 1000- 1030 h. The list of hospitals includes AllMS, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, GTB Hospital, Loknayak Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjang Hospital, Sri Ganga Ram Hospital, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Max Saket, Rohini Hospital, Apollo Indraprastha Hospital and Army Hospital Research and Referal.
The ICG is also actively taking part in the 'India Thanks COVID-19 Warriors' initiative by illuminating ships and showering petals at hospitals treating Corona patients. "Ships will appreciate the efforts of the COVID-19 Warriors by illuminating the ships on May 03 at 25 locations covering the entire coastline of the country including the remote sites and far-flung island territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands. In addition, ICG helicopters will also shower petals on COVID-19 hospitals at five locations," a press release said.
A total of 46 ICG ships and around 10 helicopters will take part in the initiative. While flower petals will be dropped at Daman, Mumbai, Goa, Chennai and Port Blair, ships will be illuminated at 25 locations, including Porbandar, Okha, Ratnagiri, Dahanu, Murud, Goa, New Mangalore, Kavratti, Tuticorin, Kanyakumari, Chennai, Krishnapatnam, Nizamapatnam, Puducherry, Kakinada, Paradip, Gopalpur/Puri, Sagar Island, Port Blair, Diglipur, Mayabuundur, Hutbay and Campbell Bay.