Indian armed force salute medical workers fighting coronavirus pandemic
New Delhi/IBNS: In an attempt to pay tribute to the health workers and medical professionals involved in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, the Indian Air Force jet and transport planes are showering petals on hospitals across the country.
The Air Force is also conducting flypasts across the country while the Indian Army bands are playing outside hospital buildings in several places.
And here is the #flypast over #hyderabad #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/huTIwO40Mc
— PIB India #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) May 3, 2020
In Delhi, Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-29 and Jaguars are conducting a flypast over Rajpath and showering petals on the Red Fort and the India Gate.
To those who have gone to war with an enemy that can't be seen; â¦@IAF_MCCâ© helicopters shower flower petals in Delhi in recognition of the sacrifices #CoronaWarriors are making #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/uTdC4D2bGl
— PIB India #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) May 3, 2020
In the evening, the Indian Navy will lit up the ships.
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat announced this "gesture of special gratitude" by the armed force on Friday.
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "Our Armed Forces have always kept the nation safe. Even in times of disasters, they are out there helping people. Now, our Forces are, in a unique way, saying a big thank you to our frontline COVID-19 warriors for their endeavour towards making India COVID-19 free."
Our Armed Forces have always kept the nation safe. Even in times of disasters, they are out there helping people. Now, our Forces are, in a unique way, saying a big thank you to our frontline COVID-19 warriors for their endeavour towards making India COVID-19 free.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2020
Earlier in March, he had requested civilians to clap from the balconies of their houses to show solidarity with the health workers, who are the frontline fighters against the contagion.
A week later, citizens were asked to lit candles for 9 minutes at 9 PM from the balconies to show their support.
On Sunday, the gesture of thanks started with the laying of flowers by the three service chiefs at the police memorial in Delhi to honour police personnel deployed for enforcement of the nationwide lockdown.
India on Saturday reported the biggest single-day jump in the number of coronavirus cases so far with 2,644 new infections in the last 24 hours, taking the total tally to 39,980.
Another 83 people died -- also the highest - taking the number of fatalities to 1,301, the Union Health Ministry stated.
