As Rafale jets land, village of wing commander celebrates

Varanasi: With the landing of Rafale fighter jets at the Ambala base of Indian Air Force, the natives of Bakwa village of Bansdih area in Ballia district celebrated by gathering near the parental house of wing commander Manish Singh—one of the five pilots who brought the first batch of five Rafale jets to India.
At his residence, the mood was festive. Since morning, scores of villagers gathered outside his house where his grandfather Punyadeo Singh, father Madan Singh, who are also ex-servicemen, and mother Urmila Singh were present. Other relatives of Singh were also seen eagerly waiting for the landing of Rafale jets.
As the Rafale jets landed at 3.10 pm, grand celebrations began in the village. Residents burst firecrackers and offered sweets to each other. Singh’s family members shared ancedotes of him with the villagers gather outside their place.
Elated to see the landing of Rafale jets at Ambala on television screen, Urmila said, “It’s a matter of pride not only for our family but also for our village, Ballia and the entire country. I don’t have words to express my feeling.”
Singh’s cousin sister Anjali said, “Our brother has brought Rafale jets as Rakhi gifts for us.” His father and grandfather wished for an even brighter for him. Following the celebrations, a special puja was organized outside Singh’s house in the evening.
Bakwa village boasts of a number of armed forces personnel. Arun Singh, a local, said that most of the families in the village have at least one member in the armed forces and several have also martyred for the country in the past. Singh added yet another feather of glory in the cap of Bakwa, he added.