Air force dare-devils steal show in opening of National Games

Guwahati, Feb 9 (UNI) The heavens stole the show in the opening ceremony of the 33rd National Games here today.

The skies, which had kept all guessing by heavy downpours over the past few days in the run-up to the Games and threatened to spoil the show, had all eyes fixed on them again this evening.

The flower petals shower by Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters set the stage for the sky-divers of the IAF to carry on the show.

Three choppers of the IAF flew over the stadium at the very outset of the opening ceremony and showered rose petals over it.

The helicopters, all MIG 17s, were from Unit 118 of the IAF, also called the 'Challenger Unit' for their daring and challenging missions.

The Unit is engaged in providing relief to far-flung areas and during floods in Asom, West Bengal, Bihar and Orrisa, among others.

Just as the helicopters flew out of vicinity, another flew to the middle of the stadium and dropped nine sky-divers from a height of 8,000 feet.

The dare-devils of the IAF jumped from astonishing heights without any support and glided like free birds in the sky. The parachutes were opened when they were 3,000 feet from the ground.

As they maneuvered their way to the ground, the spectators rose in unison to welcome the heroes of the air force.

The show stealer was the formation of the Tricolour by three sky-divers, who locked hands to form the pattern of the national flag. The three separated just a few feet away from ground to a thundering applause.

If the dare devilry of the IAF had everyone up in appreciation, the performers who presented traditional cultural items also won everyone's hearts.

The traditional 'gayan-bayan' and 'Ankiyabhaona' (traditional one-act play), presented by traditional Shatriya performers in full attire, won the admiration of the outside players as well as the spectators. A replica of a 'Guru Asana' was also highly appreciated.

The mascot of the Games 'Rongmon' also formed the cynosure of all eyes when 2,5000 school children danced with him to the tune of a special song for him.

The march past of the participating teams drew huge applause from the spectators with the Asom contingent entering the stadium to the most thunderous applause.

Earlier, the bands from Army, Assam Rifles and other Para military forces gave a scintillating display of pipe bands keeping the spectators on the edge of the seat for most of the time.

UNI