CM writes to IAF seeking participation of Sarang aerobatic team
Mysore: The Dasara air show, the biggest crowd-puller after the Jumbo Savari till 2009, could be back this year with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah writing to Air Marshal Ramesh Rai , commanding-in-chief (AOC-in C) of Training Command, Indian Air Force (IAF), on August 25 asking for the Sarang helicopter aerobatic team to be a part of the celebrations.
“The Mysore Dasara is a perfect platform to showcase our military might and defence preparedness,” the Chief Minister wrote. He has left the job of coordinating with the IAF to Mysore city police commissioner, M.A. Saleem. Judged the best looking close formation aerobatic team at the Berlin Air Show in 2008, the Sarang helicopter team has performed at several air shows around the world.
Its air shows have mesmerised tourists during past Dasara celebrations as well. Over 50,000 people turned out to watch them every year at the Bannimantap grounds, before they were scrapped a few years ago much to the disappointment of locals and tourists alike .
The most watched were the aerobatic performances by Indian Air Force (IAF) contingents like Surya Kiran and Sarang helicopters, Maratha Light Infantry soldiers descending from an MI 8 helicopter, the flypast by an AN-32 , the “Small Boy” formation by two Dorniers, and skydiving by the Akash Ganga team.
The show has been eluding the city for one reason or the other since 2010. While on one occasion it was the policy decision of the defence ministry that came in the way , on another, safety concerns proved a hurdle. This time the organizers are keeping their fingers crossed that the show will make a grand comeback, and add to the many attractions of the celebrations now that the Chief Minister himself has intervened.
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