Couldn’t miss once in a lifetime opportunity: Audience on state’s 1st SKAT show

Patna: It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of Patnaites on Wednesday morning. And that is why people thronged not only the venue along JP Ganga, but booked their seats on the rooftops of nearby buildings as well as treetops to witness a live air show by the world-famous Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force, organised for the first time in Bihar.
Braving a 40°C-plus temperature, residents, young and old, men and women, from different walks of life as well as different parts of the state, waited with bated breath for the scintillating aerobatics display, which finally began around 10.30am amid huge cheers.
The size of the crowd can be gauged from the fact that the entire stretch from JP Ganga Path towards Gol Ghar was jam-packed and vehicles moved at snails' pace when people started returning after the conclusion of the air show.
Surendra Kumar (65) had reached Patna all the way from Nalanda only to watch the unique aerobatics displays. "I have watched their performances only on television till now, so I decided not to miss the chance, and see them live," said an enthusiastic Surendra, briskly walking towards the venue.
Another elderly person, claiming to be a descendent of Babu Veer Kunwar Singh — in whose honour the air show was held on Shaurya Diwas — said it was a matter of great pride that SKAT performance was held for the first time in Bihar on the occasion, also known as Vijyotsav, to commemorate the victory of Kunwar Singh over the British on the same day during the 1857 revolution.
Homemakers Sunita and Gudiya, who came to watch the aerobatics displays with their families, said the event would remain etched in their memories. "It was awesome! We knew that there would certainly be something very special, but what we saw cannot be summarised in words. We are very lucky to have got the opportunity to watch such an incredible air show," said Sunita.
Among the audience were many school students who wanted pictures with the SKAT crew, who later obliged them.
A group of school students, when asked about their favourite manoeuvre, said all the aerobatics displays were mind-blowing. "If the tricolour trail filled us with a sense of patriotism, the heart formation was lovely," said Deepak, a Class XI student.