Morning drizzles could not hamper the spirit of young students and children who reached Bhalla stadium, city sports complex at 9.30 am to have a hand and dekho at the deadly hi-tech weapons used by the Indian Army during war and to maintain peace in non-war conditions.
The thrill to know about the recruitment procedures in Indian Army was well writ on the innocent faces who were walking past the kiosks installed by the Garud Artillery Brigade of Raiwala as part of Independence Day celebrations and 'Know your Army' mela.
“We had knuckles deep water a day before due to heavy rains and with suction pumps our men made the grounds fit for the displays,” said lt Col Rajdeep. Joined by him was Col Ravishankar telling the students about the thermal imaging technique used in one of the firing equipment on display.
Vipin Upadhyay, one of the attendees from NCC and resident of Shankar ashram Kankhal told The Pioneer, “I attended my NCC training in Uttarkashi this year and had seen some of the guns but today got a chance to hold 7.62 mm Dragonnor Sniper Rifle. It weighs 4.3 kgs and can fire upto 1300 metres with accuracy. I am so thrilled and want to use it one day by joining Army.” Students from various schools of the district visited the displays.
light machine guns can target upto 700 metres, from India Small Arms System 5.56 mm were also on display besides the radio set wireless communication systems. Havaldar Ranvijay Singh and Subedar Kamal Kumar of 38 Field Regiment infused in children the spirit to join the defence services by actually giving them demonstrations of aiming the targets as if in warfield.
Speaking to The Pioneer, the Commander of Garud Artillery Brigade Brigadier Sandeep Sood, said, “The event was organised as an awareness programme for the people of Haridwar, Rishikesh and Raiwala so as to give them a deeper insight into the Indian Army. The prime focus of this initiative was to reach out to the masses especially the younger generation and motivate them to join Indian Army and also to increase the awareness of the general public about the capability and invaluable achievements of the Indian Army.” “There would be lectures by our officers in schools from class 10 onwards to tell students on how to join Army as officer and as recruits,” said the coordinator Major Praphull Ghildiyal.
The events commenced with inauguration of the equipment display, which was very well received by the audience. This was followed by a magnificent band display by the colourful military pipe band. latest weapons, vehicles and equipment were displayed demonstrating the might of Indian Army. Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks of Raiwala Military Station were also present on the occasion and interacted with the students and visitors. The entire event was a grand success in terms of educating the youth on various facets of Army as a career and showcasing the army as an epitome of national unity.
Earlier at the inaugural of the mela, district magistrate of Haridwar Harbans Singh Chugh said, "It was an opportunity for Army civilians interaction to know the nitty gritties of the Indian Army. All schools were informed about this event through Basic shiksha adhikari and the enthusiasm amongst students can be seen."
The commander Sood interacted with the visitors and assured of extending all necessary assistance and guidance to aspiring candidates for joining the Indian Army as a career for a fulfilling and professionally satisfying life.