PM Modi Sees IAF’s ‘Wings over Ganges’ Display, Inaugurates New RBI Cybersecurity Hub

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attended the Indian Air Force's (IAF) spectacular Wings over Ganges air show in Varanasi before inaugurating the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) ₹169-crore Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute at Info Valley-II in Jatni, near Bhubaneswar. He also inaugurated a new garment manufacturing unit of Arvind Ltd in Varanasi during his visit.

Modi attended the final day of the IAF's three-day air show at Namo Ghat, organised to mark the force's 94th anniversary. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accompanied him.

The aerial display featured fighter aircraft, including the Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, indigenous Tejas, Mirage 2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar, alongside helicopters and transport aircraft. The indigenous Light Combat Helicopter Prachand also featured in the programme.

The Surya Kiran aerobatic team performed precision manoeuvres, while the Sarang helicopter display team showcased coordinated aerial stunts. One of the highlights was the Kashi formation, in which three Kiran aircraft flew in a V formation, creating a spectacle in the colours of the Tricolour. During the Omkar formation, Mi-17 helicopters flew carrying the national flag.

The fighter jets roared across the skies above the Ganga as spectators waved the Tricolour and raised slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”. Modi's presence drew large crowds along the route to Namo Ghat, where residents welcomed him with rose petals, traditional music and cultural performances.

Later, Modi inaugurated the RBI's ₹169-crore data centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute, spread across 18.55 acres. The complex will host four data-centre facilities designed to support mission-critical payment and settlement systems and other key RBI initiatives, strengthening India's digital financial infrastructure.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, Odisha Governor Brajmohan Ram, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida attended the inauguration.

Addressing the gathering, Modi warned that cyberattacks could weaken a country's economy and stressed the need to protect India's banking system from cybercriminals and cyberterrorists. He said the previous decade focused on extending banking services to people who lacked access, while the coming decade should make banking more efficient and reliable.

He highlighted the expansion of digital banking and nearly 60 crore Jan Dhan accounts, which have helped extend formal financial services and facilitate the direct transfer of government benefits. He also referred to schemes supporting small entrepreneurs, street vendors and artisans.

The new Cybersecurity Training Institute will support training, research and capacity-building in cybersecurity and enterprise technology, including emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The data centre has received Tier IV certification from the Uptime Institute, a global benchmark for infrastructure resilience. The foundation stone was laid by then RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on March 22, 2023.

During his Varanasi visit, Modi also inaugurated a new garment manufacturing unit of Arvind Ltd in the Mirzamurad area. The facility is expected to generate employment, particularly for women, strengthen India's textile and garment manufacturing sector, and connect locally produced garments with international markets. Modi also interacted with around 300 women.