Know your Army exhibition aims to draw state youth to the armed forces

Kolkata, January 9 In a novel initiative, the headquarters of the Eastern Command and Bengal Area is organising a “Know your Army” exhibition. The dwindling number of Army recruits from the state has prompted the top brass to think of new ways to rekindle interest among the youngsters for a career in the country’s defence force.

“In Bengal, we are not able to rope in students who want a career in the armed forces as their first choice. Unlike in other states, we are not getting the best ones, which means that most of the students who apply do not clear the selection process. Instead, the response is much better among the women,” said Group Captain R K Das, official spokesperson for the ministry of defence in Kolkata.

The two-day exhibition, beginning January 15 at the Fort William Driving Range, will showcase the most modern and finest weapons used by the army that include 105 mm field gun, 120 mm mortors, L-70 anti-aircraft guns with fly catcher radars, BMP-2 armed personnel carriers, field communication sets and signalling equipment used in battle fields.

An array of heavy machine guns, medium machine guns and light machine guns and a helicopter will also be displayed during the exhibition.

However, the Russian T-72 tanks are likely to get the maximum attention among the viewers.The exhibition, which will remain open from 10 am to 5 pm will be free for all, and visitors can gain entry from George’s Gate, underneath the Vidyasagar Setu.