President Droupadi Murmu concluded her three-day tour of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan on February 27 with a historic flight in an attack helicopter, becoming the first Indian President to do so. The visit, which began on February 24, integrated public health, spiritual programmes, educational engagements, and a high-profile display of India’s defence capabilities. According to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the tour aimed to strengthen national priorities in healthcare, social cohesion, and security preparedness.
Launch of Nationwide Health Initiatives
In Mumbai, the President inaugurated PD Hinduja Hospital’s nationwide campaign “Saving Lives and Building a Healthier India” at Lok Bhavan. The programme seeks to promote health awareness and improve access to medical facilities across the country.
On February 25, Murmu served as the chief guest at the National Health Fair 2026 and later launched Brahma Kumaris’s programme, “Maharashtra’s Golden Age through Unity and Trust”, in Nagpur. The initiative focused on fostering unity, trust, and collective responsibility in society.
Engagements in Jharkhand and Spiritual Outreach
In Jamshedpur, the President visited Manipal Tata Medical College, highlighting the importance of regional medical education and healthcare infrastructure. She also attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Shri Jagannath Temple under the Shri Jagannath Spiritual and Cultural Charitable Centre Trust, reinforcing the role of cultural and spiritual institutions in community development.
Historic Helicopter Sortie and Air Force Demonstration
The final leg of the tour took place in Rajasthan, where President Murmu observed the “Ex Vayu Shakti” firepower exercise in Pokhran, showcasing the operational readiness and combat strength of the Indian Air Force.
Clad in an olive-green flying suit and helmet, Murmu undertook a 25-minute sortie as co-pilot in the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand near the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer, departing from the Jaisalmer Air Force Station. From the cockpit, she addressed the nation, describing the helicopter as a symbol of self-reliance and saluting India’s soldiers. The aircraft flew over the Pokhran firing range ahead of the day-dusk-night demonstration.
The Prachand is India’s first indigenously designed attack helicopter, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, equipped with advanced avionics, stealth features, night-attack capability, and a versatile arsenal including air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, rockets, and a 20mm gun.
Continuing Presidential Defence Engagement
This sortie added another milestone to Murmu’s engagements with frontline military platforms. She previously undertook sorties in a Rafale fighter aircraft at Ambala in October last year, and in a Sukhoi-30 MKI at Tezpur in April 2023, flying over the Brahmaputra valley with views of the Himalayas.
Spanning Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan, the President’s tour blended public welfare, spiritual outreach, education, and national defence, reinforcing the Presidency’s active role in shaping India’s development and strategic narrative.
