CM Yogi Greets IAF on Air Force Day 2026
Synopsis
On the 94th Indian Air Force Day, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath saluted IAF air warriors by invoking the force's Sanskrit motto 'Nabha Sprisham Diptam,' calling the IAF a symbol of valour, capability, and resolve that makes every Indian proud.
Key Takeaways
CM Yogi Adityanath posted Air Force Day greetings on 8 October 2026 , the IAF's 94th anniversary .
He opened with the IAF's official Sanskrit motto 'नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्' ('Touch the sky with glory'), from the Bhagavad Gita.
The post extended congratulations to IAF air warriors and their families .
He described the IAF as 'a synonym of valour, capability, and resolve — the pride of all of us.' The Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932 , making 2026 its 94th founding day.
From the limitless skies to the last inch of the nation's borders — Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday, 8 October 2026, invoked the ancient Sanskrit maxim 'नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्' ('Touch the sky with glory') to salute the Indian Air Force on its annual Air Force Day.
Posting on X, CM Yogi called the IAF 'a synonym of valour, capability, and resolve — the pride of all of us,' extending heartfelt congratulations to the IAF's brave air warriors and their families. He signed off with 'Jai Hind' — a compact declaration that carried the full weight of the occasion.
'Nabha Sprisham Diptam' — A Motto With Deep Roots
The phrase CM Yogi opened with is the Indian Air Force's own official motto, drawn from the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 11, Verse 24), where it describes a form 'touching the sky with brilliance.' The IAF adopted it as a creed that binds every pilot, every technician, and every family that stands behind them. Using the motto as an opener was a deliberate act of solidarity — speaking to the IAF in its own language.
Air Force Day: What the Occasion Marks
The Indian Air Force was officially established on 8 October 1932, making 2026 the 94th Air Force Day. The anniversary is observed each year with air displays, ceremonial parades, and tributes from political and military leadership across the country. It is one of the three major armed-forces commemorations on India's calendar, alongside Army Day and Navy Day.
Yogi Adityanath's post joins a chorus of national tributes on a day when India turns its gaze skyward — but his choice to lead with the IAF's Sanskrit motto gives the greeting a texture beyond protocol.
Point of View
But the invocation of a Gita verse as a rhetorical anchor places the post within a broader BJP narrative of linking classical Indian heritage to contemporary national institutions. The gesture costs nothing politically and consolidates goodwill among defence families, a constituency that matters in Uttar Pradesh, home to one of India's largest military-veteran populations.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Indian Air Force Day celebrated?
Indian Air Force Day is celebrated every year on 8 October , marking the establishment of the IAF on that date in 1932 . 2026 marks the 94th Air Force Day .
What does 'Nabha Sprisham Diptam' mean?
'Nabha Sprisham Diptam' is the official motto of the Indian Air Force , drawn from the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 11, Verse 24). It translates as 'Touch the sky with glory' and encapsulates the IAF's spirit of excellence and reach.
What did CM Yogi say on Air Force Day 2026?
CM Yogi Adityanath called the IAF 'a synonym of valour, capability, and resolve — the pride of all of us,' and extended heartfelt congratulations to IAF air warriors and their families, signing off with 'Jai Hind.'
Which verse of the Bhagavad Gita is the IAF motto from?
The IAF motto 'Nabha Sprisham Diptam' is taken from Chapter 11, Verse 24 of the Bhagavad Gita, where it describes a divine form that 'touches the sky with brilliance.'
