In the aftermath of the December 2001 Parliament terror attack, a shocked nation launched Operation Parakram.
Still in college, I travelled to a frontline Air Force base to stay with a relative. Day and night, the air would echo with the roar of the majestic MiG-21 engines. The pilots loved their machines and were always ready to deliver when called upon.
Throughout its service, the MiG-21 carried many infamous labels, sparking intense debates between those who vouched for it and those who condemned it as a “flying coffin.” Yet, more than two decades later, as I watched its final flypast, I couldn’t help reflecting on how often this aircraft had proved its detractors wrong after being written off.
The undaunted human spirit can bring out the best in machines. The saga of the Indian Air Force’s warriors and the MiG-21 will remain a testament to this forever.
Adieu, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21.