Nation Salutes Air Warriors on Air Force Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Home Minister Amit Shah, along with the UP and Assam Chief Ministers, extended greetings to the air warriors on Indian Air Force Day, thanking them for serving the nation with dedication and praising their courage.

In a video posted on X, PM said, "India is proud of our Air Warriors. On Air Force Day, we salute their courage and commitment to protect our skies!"

He congratulated all the air warriors and their families who have served the country. “Things in the sky are always unpredictable; it is no surprise that by showcasing its power in the sky, the IAF has drawn the attention of every citizen and given a sense of security, " he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to social media and said, "Salutations to the Warriors of Our Skies on the glorious occasion of Indian Air Force Day."

"A legion of real-life brave hearts whose saga of invincible valour, laser-sharp precision and devastating striking capabilities is testified by the Earth and satellites in faraway space. Their patriotism and professionalism will continue to inspire generations long after the daydreams of India's enemies cease to exist. I bow to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation," he added.

The Uttar Pradesh and Assam Chief Ministers said "From the infinite heights of the sky to the nation's borders, the Indian Air Force, the embodiment of valour, strength, and resolve, is the pride of us all." They saluted the sacrifice and unwavering commitment of the air warriors.

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said the Indian Air Force has, on the one hand, demonstrated its speed and strike power to the world during combat operations and, on the other, it has consistently promoted ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ by providing humanitarian aid globally. It believes that the world is one single family.

Addressing Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon Air Force Station at Hindon the Air Marshal said, "The Indian Air Force is renowned not only for its combat capability, but also for an unwavering commitment to serving the nation and humanity when the time comes. Our air warriors have promptly responded to devastating floods and severe wildlife fires in various regions by protecting lives and property and delivering relief to the affected people," he said.

He further said, "Our commitment extended beyond our borders. We have been consistently promoting the principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' through humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions around the world."

The Air Chief Marshal said that the IAF commanders are delegating their responsibilities to improve decision-making, and all airmen are developing their leadership qualities.

"Every airman is an important part of their organisation. We should all feel proud of our duties and responsibilities. And we should be determined that no matter how difficult the situation is, I will not become a weak link that will weaken or break the air force chain," he added.

He said the Indian Air Force understands that "operational capability rides on the back of professional training". "We train as we fight. It means our aircrew and ground crew are trained to such a high degree that their skills become their second nature. These skills are developed gradually through practical, real-life exercises. Whether the task is defending our skies, delivering aid in a disaster, or carrying out punitive strikes, we are constantly preparing for the mission," the IAF Chief added.

The world witnessed how fast the Air Force moved into combat during Op Sindoor, he said.

The Indian Air Force (IAF), the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces, was officially established on October 8, 1932, as an auxiliary air force of British India.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gowri V

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A Journey of Three Decades Time passes faster than we realise. What feels like a journey that began only yesterday has today grown into more than three decades of a meaningful and fulfilling life devoted to education, journalism, and the empowerment of young minds. My professional journey began with journalism training in New Delhi in 1979. I went on to work as an independent journalist, drawing on my fluency in both English and Telugu. Over the years, I have edited and worked on Telugu articles in both languages, an experience that strengthened my command of language and sharpened my understanding of society, people, and contemporary issues. Yet, my principal profession and enduring passion have always been teaching. My decision to become a teacher was not merely a career choice—it was a calling. Teaching offered me the rare privilege of inspiring young minds, guiding them through their formative years, and making a lasting difference in their lives. I found immense satisfaction in simplifying complex concepts, nurturing curiosity, encouraging independent thought, and building confidence among students. Every moment in the classroom—every question, every moment of discovery, and every spark of understanding—reminded me why I had chosen this path: to empower young people through knowledge, values, and essential life skills. My teaching career began at the grassroots level as a Montessori teacher and gradually progressed to the position of Vice Principal. I had the opportunity to work in reputed educational institutions, including Dilsukhnagar Public School in Hyderabad, where I shouldered both teaching and administrative responsibilities. Although I have always considered myself, at heart, a teacher, my administrative experience enabled me to understand and contribute to the education system from a much broader perspective. For my students, I have always tried to be an approachable and dependable presence—someone they could turn to not only for academic support, but also for guidance and emotional encouragement. At the same time, I developed a reputation as a firm disciplinarian who believed that integrity, fairness, responsibility, and discipline were fundamental to education. I was also consistently appreciated for maintaining clear communication with parents and staff and for ensuring that examinations and other academic processes were conducted with transparency, fairness, and efficiency. As my career progressed, however, I began to feel that academic education alone was not enough. This realization led me to work more closely with students following the SSC and CBSE curricula, while consciously bringing life-skills education into my teaching. I came to understand that education becomes truly meaningful when it prepares children not merely to pass examinations, but to face life. Teaching emotional resilience, self-reliance, social awareness, communication, decision-making, and other practical life skills often had a deeper and more lasting impact than academic achievement alone. I saw how these skills could help students navigate challenges with greater confidence, maturity, and responsibility. My academic background provided a strong foundation for this approach. My degree in Psychology from the University of Madras helped me develop a deeper understanding of young people's minds, their emotional needs, and the influence of their family and social environments. My M.A. in Telugu with First Class from Osmania University.

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