Chandigarh, May 3 : Expressing gratitude to the frontline COVID-19 warriors, Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130 Hercules conducted fly-past over Chandigarh's rain-fed famed Sukhna Lake on Sunday.
IAF choppers dropped flower petals over the Command Hospital in Chandimandir, near here, the PGIMER, and the Government Medical College Hospital in Sector 32 here.
The Chandimandir unit organized programmes at the district hospital in Panchkula and Mohali to honor the corona warriors.
The Station commander honored the warriors with army band in attendance.
The Engineer Brigade stationed at nearby Zirakpur town conducted a 30-minute show of gratitude to the medical fraternity at a COVID hospital in Phase VI of SAS Nagar, which adjoins Chandigarh.
A pipe band played 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja' and 'Saare Jahan Se Achacha'.
A brigade officer read out the speech.
"We appreciate the kind gesture, it is hugely motivational," said PGI Director Jagat Ram.
He said it was hugely motivational and filled their hearts with gratitude for the armed forces' kind gesture.
The helicopters ceremonially flew past and showered petals on healthcare workers comprising doctors, nurses, housekeeping, sanitation and other allied staff of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) gathered in the lawns.
Lauding the initiatives of the others in this fight against Covid-19, the Director said: "The other frontline warriors, our police personnel, also deserve our whole-hearted admiration for their commitment and tireless work.
Even the role played by the media in these challenging times is praiseworthy."
"In fact, the healthcare workers, the police and the media, all three of them are frontline warriors, who are risking their own lives to save the lives of others in their own capacities and carrying forward their own responsibilities.
Our salute to all of them," the Director added.
Vipin Koushal, incharge of PGI's Covid Hospital, while interacting with the media, said: "Today, our armed forces lost five of their distinguished officers and soldiers in Handwara, who showed exemplary courage in their fight against terror and made the supreme sacrifice.
"It is extremely painful and disturbing.
Despite that loss, the armed forces expressed their gratitude to the frontline corona warriors. It is gratifying, but at the same time, a lesson to be learnt in fortitude and service to the nation from our armed forces."
--IANS
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Source: IANS
