Ajay Mankotia

Powered by six turbofan engines and with a wingspan almost the length of a football field, Antonov 225 Mriya could carry bigger and heavier cargo than any other plane. Russian forces bombed this giant aircraft during its recent war with Ukraine that they built in their precursor state, the Soviet Union.

To mark the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, it is in the fitness of things that the Republic Day Parade this year at Rajpath.

The writer remembers his father Group Captain VC Mankotia, flying a transport plane turned into a bomber, the valiant Armed Forces fighters, who staked their lives in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Flying down the memory lane and a heartfelt tribute on its 50th anniversary.