CM Sai Salutes IAF on Air Force Day 2026
Synopsis
On IAF Day 2026, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai saluted India's air warriors, invoking the force's Sanskrit motto 'Nabhah Sprisham Diptam' and honouring the IAF's dual role in combat and disaster relief.
Key Takeaways
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai greeted Indian Air Force personnel on Air Force Day, October 8, 2026 .
He opened with the IAF's Sanskrit motto 'Nabhah Sprisham Diptam' — 'Touch the sky with glory' — drawn from the Bhagavad Gita .
Sai highlighted the IAF's dual mandate: combat readiness and humanitarian disaster response.
The post was shared in Hindi and closed with the national salute 'Jai Hind'.
On the 94th Indian Air Force Day, Thursday, October 8, 2026, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid tribute to the nation's air warriors — invoking the IAF's own Sanskrit motto to frame a message of pride, gratitude, and national resolve.
Posting on X, CM Sai wrote: 'नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्' — 'Touch the sky with glory' — the Bhagavad Gita-derived motto of the Indian Air Force, before extending heartfelt congratulations to the service's brave warriors. 'From war to natural disasters, in every challenge, the Air Force has always demonstrated its skill and unwavering resolve,' he wrote, adding: 'The nation is proud of the valour of the air warriors. Jai Hind!'
A motto drawn from the Gita, carried into every sky
The phrase 'Nabhah Sprisham Diptam' comes from the Bhagavad Gita's eleventh chapter, where Arjuna beholds the cosmic form of Krishna — a vision of blazing, sky-touching radiance. Adopted as the IAF's motto at its founding, the words capture both the physical domain the force operates in and the standard of excellence it is held to. CM Sai leading with the motto rather than a generic salutation gives the greeting its weight.
War and relief: the dual mandate the IAF carries
The Chief Minister's reference to 'war to natural disasters' is a pointed acknowledgement of the IAF's twin roles. Beyond combat readiness, the force has been the country's first aerial responder in floods, earthquakes, and cyclones — airlifting survivors, dropping relief supplies, and evacuating stranded civilians across some of India's most inaccessible terrain, including the mountainous corridors that matter greatly to landlocked Chhattisgarh's broader region. On a day when ceremonial flyovers mark the occasion, that operational breadth deserves the spotlight.
Point of View
Particularly as defence pride remains a potent electoral sentiment. CM Sai's choice to anchor his message in the IAF's own Sanskrit motto signals cultural and civilisational framing, consistent with the BJP's wider communication strategy. The dual emphasis on combat and disaster relief also quietly acknowledges the IAF's growing humanitarian footprint — a role that resonates deeply in a state like Chhattisgarh, which borders flood-prone and conflict-sensitive regions.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Indian Air Force Day celebrated?
Indian Air Force Day is celebrated every year on October 8 , marking the founding of the IAF on that date in 1932 .
What does 'Nabhah Sprisham Diptam' mean?
'Nabhah Sprisham Diptam' is the motto of the Indian Air Force, drawn from the Bhagavad Gita . It translates to 'Touch the sky with glory' and reflects the force's aspiration for excellence and reach.
What did CM Vishnu Deo Sai say on IAF Day 2026?
CM Sai extended heartfelt congratulations to IAF personnel, invoking the force's motto and praising their skill and resolve in both warfare and natural disaster response, concluding with 'Jai Hind'.
What is the role of the Indian Air Force beyond combat?
Beyond its combat and deterrence mission, the IAF plays a major humanitarian role — conducting aerial search-and-rescue operations, evacuating civilians, and delivering relief supplies during floods, earthquakes, and cyclones across India.
