In one of the first of several gestures yesterday, petals fell on to the upturned faces of medical personnel clad in protective gear as an army band played patriotic tunes including Jai Ho from the popular Slumdog Millionaire film.
In several states and territories across the nation, fighter jets and transport aircraft in formations took part in low-flying aerial salutes to thank the country’s so-called “corona warriors”.
In Bengaluru, a helicopter showered flowers over Victoria Hospital, as doctors and other medical workers in hospital gowns and masks cheered on.
In Mumbai, television showed fighter jets roaring over the famous Marine Drive, which runs parallel to the Arabian Sea, as some residents craned for a view from their balconies.
Later yesterday, navy and coast guard ships lined up along more than 30 locations on the coast, with some vessels lit up and firing flares.
“The entire nation stands united in these challenging times,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted yesterday as he praised the “commendable work” of the “frontline warriors”, including police which have been enforcing the nationwide virus lockdown in place since late March.
The performances were the third public show of gratitude to health and other frontline workers, after people took part in nationwide clapping and lamp lighting efforts led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier.
The lockdown was extended for another two weeks by the government on Friday, although some restrictions were lifted in regions that have lower numbers of virus cases.