The University of Virginia’s annual Lighting of the Lawn event traditionally illuminates the Rotunda and surrounding pavilions, but the lights will soar to new heights this year. The sky above the Rotunda will come alive with the event’s first-ever drone light display.
Featuring 100 synchronized drones, each acting as a pixel in an aerial performance synced to music, the show is an innovative addition to UVA’s cherished wintertime tradition.
Set to take place Friday, Lighting of the Lawn has been a cornerstone of UVA holiday culture for 23 years. Originally created to uplift the UVA community in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the event has since grown into an annual tradition, drawing more than 15,000 students, staff and community members to celebrate the season and witness the thousands of LED lights artfully strung on the Lawn.
This year’s drone display is made possible through a collaboration with Sky Elements, a leading aerial entertainment company that produces more than 60% of the nation’s drone light shows.
UVA President Jim Ryan’s “Arts on the Hill” program, which supports creative initiatives that bring art and community together at UVA, funded the drone show.
Sky Elements gained national recognition in September after placing third in the finale of “America’s Got Talent.”
If you thought hatchbacks were on the decline, think again. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno proved its dominance by taking the top spot as the best-selling vehicle in November, with a remarkable 16,293 units sold—a 26 per cent year-on-year growth. The Hyundai Creta climbed to second place, improving from its third-place finish in October, and continues to reign as the undisputed leader in the mid-size SUV segment. The Tata Punch and Tata Nexon made a strong comeback, securing the third and fourth positions, respectively. Meanwhile, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, which was the top seller in October, rounded out the top five. One of the biggest surprises was the Swift, which dropped to eighth place after finishing as the runner-up in October.
Tata Punch
The most successful sub-compact SUV, the Punch, made its return back to the top 5 list. It sold 15,435 units last month with a 7 per cent increase YoY. The Punch is the only SUV in its segment to offer both an internal combustion engine, CNG and an electric option. The petrol version gets a 1.2-litre 86.5 bhp with 115 Nm and is available in 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT. The CNG, on the other hand, has an output of 72.4 bhp and 103 Nm of torque mated to a manual transmission.
The Punch EV has an option of 25 kWh and 35 kWh batteries. The former makes 80 bhp and 114 Nm while the latter 121 bhp and 190 Nm.
