Grand Show at the Opening of the 11th Youth Festival in Patna
Patna: February 14, 2006
The 11th National Youth Festival opened at Moinul Haque Stadium in Patna on Monday with the daredevil air stunts performed by the skilled Indian Air Force pilots, who with their death-defying aerobatics kept the witnesses on the ground at the edges of their seats.
When the 15-member team led by Squadron leader Kamal Singh of Akaash Ganga Para-trooping training school jumped from over 7,000 feet and made a perfect landing at the center of the stadium, the the entire place filled with a gasps and oohs and aahs.
The air show was followed by equally mesmerizing march past conducted by all the participants from various states who carrying the national flags in their hands performed their art unique to their home states. With folk dances and native dresses including Garba from Gujarat and Bhangra from Punjab, the contestants completed the round of the stadium amidst loud applause and cheer.
The entire stadium sported the pictures of two mascots – the sun and the dolphin – drawn in Madhubani painting style while announcements were being made in English and Hindi by Patna Women's College History Department Reader Daisy Narain and Manjushree, an expert in sporting events, respectively.
Chief guest and Union Minister for Youth, Culture and Sports Mani Shankar Ayyar and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, along with a number of state ministers and legislators enjoyed the entire show from the special VIP pavilion applauding at each group passing by them.
With music and dance in the air, the evening truly turned out to be an affair to remember as promised by the State Youth and Culture Minister Janardan Singh Sigriwal.
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