IAF choppers shower petals on COVID-19 hospital in Arunachal

Itanagar, May 3 () Defying haze over the mountainsof the Arunachal Pradesh capital, two advance lighthelicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) showered petals onthe lone COVID-19 hospital in the state on Sunday to expressgratitude to the medical personnel engaged in the fightagainst COVID-19.

Around 30 kg of petals were showered on the Tomo RibaInstitute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), a viewwhich thousands of people witnessed from the rooftop of theirhouses.

The choppers showered the petals on the hospitalbetween 12.03 pm and 12.15 pm.

The IAF choppers flew from the Tezpur Air Base underthe Eastern Air Command and returned to the base afterconducting the flypast, Defence spokesperson Lt Col HarshWardhan Pande said.

"The exercise was conducted to express gratitude tocorona warriors, including doctors, nurses and paramedicalstaff. It also aimed at sending a message that the nation isunited in the fight against COVID-19," he said.

Commending the gesture, Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B DMishra hoped that the goodwill message will reach everyfrontline worker, police personnel, official, gaon burha(village headman) and NGO.

"This was a true recognition of the committed servicesrendered by us at the cost of our lives. We have taken oathsto save people's lives. This salutation will energise us towork with more dedication," TRIHMS Director Dr Moji Jini said. UPLACD ACD