VARANASI, October 25, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh and Odisha on Sunday, with Varanasi set to host a major aerial display by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to mark the force’s 94th anniversary. The programme, titled Wings Over Ganges, will bring fighter aircraft, helicopters and aerobatic teams to the skies above the Ganga.
According to the announced itinerary, Modi will begin his Varanasi programme by inaugurating a new garment manufacturing facility operated by Arvind Limited. He is then scheduled to attend the Air Force Day aerial display at Namo Ghat at around 1 pm as the chief guest.
The visit combines the celebration of India’s military aviation capabilities with initiatives aimed at strengthening manufacturing, employment and financial-sector infrastructure.
IAF’s ‘Wings Over Ganges’ to Showcase India’s Air Power
The aerial display at Namo Ghat is the centrepiece of the IAF’s 94th anniversary celebrations in Varanasi. The event is designed to showcase the force’s flying capabilities, precision manoeuvres and operational coordination against the backdrop of the Ganga.
The announced line-up includes several prominent aircraft, including the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and the Rafale fighter jet. Transport aircraft are also expected to participate.
The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team and the Sarang Helicopter Display Team are among the IAF’s premier display units scheduled to perform. Their demonstrations are expected to feature coordinated formations, precision flying and complex aerial manoeuvres.
Aircraft from the Indian Army and Indian Navy are also expected to participate, highlighting coordination among the three armed services.
The celebrations have brought a major aviation spectacle to Varanasi, with the Ganga and the city’s historic ghats providing the setting for the displays. Preparations for the concluding programme have included enhanced security arrangements and crowd-management measures around the venue and other key locations.
Modi to Inaugurate Arvind Limited’s Garment Manufacturing Facility
Before attending the air show, Modi is scheduled to inaugurate a new garment manufacturing facility operated by Arvind Limited in the Kachhwa area of Varanasi.
The project is intended to strengthen the region’s textile and apparel manufacturing ecosystem and expand its role in manufacturing-led economic growth. Products manufactured at the facility are expected to serve customers in domestic and international markets.
A major feature of the initiative is its emphasis on women-led employment. The facility is expected to create job opportunities, particularly for women, while supporting skills development and industrial activity in the region.
The programme also highlights the potential for manufacturing investments to create employment beyond established industrial centres. By connecting local production with a wider customer base, the initiative could provide new opportunities for workers and businesses in and around Varanasi.
Modi is also expected to interact with women trained in garment manufacturing, underscoring the role of skill development and women’s participation in the workforce.
RBI’s Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute on Odisha Itinerary
After completing his engagements in Varanasi, Modi is scheduled to travel to Bhubaneswar, Odisha, where he is expected to inaugurate the Reserve Bank of India’s newly established Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute at around 4:45 pm.
The data centre has been designed to support the RBI’s computing requirements and strengthen the resilience, security and scalability of critical financial infrastructure.
The facility includes four state-of-the-art data centres intended to host mission-critical payment and settlement systems and other key digital services. It has received Tier IV certification from the Uptime Institute, a benchmark associated with high levels of infrastructure resilience and availability.
The accompanying Cybersecurity Training Institute is intended to strengthen expertise in cybersecurity, enterprise technology and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. It will also support training, research and capability development for the banking, financial services and insurance sector.
The project is expected to contribute to the security and reliability of India’s increasingly digital financial ecosystem.
A Day Focused on Defence, Manufacturing and Digital Infrastructure
Modi’s October 25 itinerary brings together three areas of national importance: military aviation, industrial development and financial technology.
In Varanasi, the Wings Over Ganges display will highlight the IAF’s capabilities and mark 94 years since the force was established on October 8, 1932. The garment manufacturing facility, meanwhile, is intended to support industrial growth and expand employment opportunities, particularly for women.
In Bhubaneswar, the RBI’s new infrastructure is aimed at strengthening the technological foundations of the financial system and improving cybersecurity capabilities.
Together, the planned engagements reflect the government’s focus on defence preparedness, manufacturing expansion, women’s economic participation and resilient digital infrastructure. The programmes also place Varanasi and Bhubaneswar at the centre of a high-profile day of official engagements across northern and eastern India.
