President Murmu takes historic sortie in Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft

TEZPUR/GUWAHATI, President of India Droupadi Murmu took a historic sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam on the third day of her visit to Assam today. The President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, flew for approximately 30 minutes, covering the Brahmaputra and the Tezpur valleys with a view of the Himalayas, before returning to the Air Force Station. She is the third President and second woman President to undertake such a sortie.

The aircraft was flown by Group Captain Naveen Kumar, Commanding Officer of the 106 Squadron. The aircraft flew at a height of about two kilometres above sea level and at a speed of about 800 kilometres per hour.

Later in the visitors' book, the President expressed her feelings by writing a brief note in which she said, "It was an exhilarating experience for me to fly in the mighty Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. It is a matter of pride that India's defence capabilities have expanded immensely to cover all the frontiers of land, air, and sea. I congratulate the Indian Air Force and the entire team at Air Force Station Tezpur for organising this sortie."

The President was also briefed on the operational capabilities of the aircraft and the Indian Air Force (IAF). She expressed satisfaction with the operational preparedness of the IAF.

The President's sortie in the Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft is part of her efforts to engage with the armed forces as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. In March 2023, the President visited INS Vikrant and interacted with officers and sailors on board the indigenously built aircraft.

This morning, she left Guwahati for Tezpur, where she was received at the air base by Air Marshal SP Dharkar, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. After landing at Tezpur, Murmu received a guard of honour from IAF personnel.

The President wound up her visit to Assam from Tezpur. Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika, and Tezpur MP Pallab Lochan Das saw her off at the Tezpur Airport.

Meanwhile, after her departure, the Chief Minister tweeted, "Thank you for visiting Assam, Adarniya Rashtrapati ji. Over the last three days, we have been inspired by your simplicity and your dedication to public welfare. It was an absolute honour to receive the opportunity to host you. @rashtrapatibhvn."