NAGPUR: Despite clouds playing spoilsport, the spectacular show by Indian Air Force aerobatic team Suryakiran and skydiving team Akash Ganga still managed to thrill the visitors at Air Force station Sonegaon on Wednesday. Presence of clouds over the last two days did not allow the team to practice properly and even put a question mark on the show itself. But the truncated performance by Suryakirans, who avoided the vertical manoeuvres owing to cloud cover, left spectators wanting more.

The Air Force station was filled with spirit of patriotism. 'Maa tujhe salam' and 'Rang de basanti' playing in the background added to the atmosphere. Among the invitees were children from various city schools and also special children. Their eyes filled with pride and joy as the magnificent men in their flying machines took to air. They were joined by thousands of others on their terraces in localities around the airport.

The show began with the performance by the students of Bhosla military school who came with their drums and bagpipers. "This is the first time we are performing at an air show. It is an immense honour for us and a proud moment," said Shubham Banabakode, a student who played the bagpipe. This was followed by an aero-modelling show. The radio-controlled planes showed that even small things can create wonder. "I liked the small plane," gushed a kid present at the show.

Then the Suryakirans aerobatic team began to perform their manoeuvres. Led by Wing Commander Joy Thomas Kurien, the team began routines flying in 'diamond' formation. Then it went on to perform spectacular formations including the innovative 'Sukhoi'. Sometimes flying low, sometimes disappearing into clouds, and painting the sky in tricolour with each formation. "I was so proud that the country has such able men protecting it, that I almost cried," said an emotional Esha Lokre one of the invitees.

There was also some disappointment as low clouds prevented the high manoeuvres. It even made the pilots unhappy as the vertical profiles are more thrilling. Wg Cdr Kurien said, "We did the best we could. The show would have been better had the sky been clear. We were almost in two minds about performing as the weather had been bad in the last couple of days." Sqn Ldr Ajit Kulkarni said, "we would have been happier performing the barrel roll etc. but the cloud cover was bad." There was also an unexpected delay during one of the manoeuvres. Kurien clarified, "sometimes there is a risk, so it is better to be safe. We can't take a risk, especially with such a large gathering present."

The chief guest for the show was Air Marshal Pramod Vasant Athavle, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Head Quarters Maintenance Command, Nagpur, who came with his wife Neelima. The show was hosted by Air Commodore Kishor Dhami.