1 week Ago
Bengaluru: Air passengers who came in early at the Kempegowda International Airport got an unexpected thrill: They got to see up-close, touch and feel the weapons used by the Indian Army! "I have never touched a rifle before, and today I got to hold one. I am super happy," said an excited flier. the unique experience was part of the "Know Your Army" mela held at T1(terminal one) on Saturday evening to mark the 77th Army Day celebrations, which will culminate on January 11 at the Manekshaw Parade Ground near M G Road.
What drew the attention of the fliers was the splendid performance by the Indian Army Pipe Band. Many passengers and those who came to drop them went arround checking out the weapons and listening to the explanations being offered by the army personnel. A group of people were seen clicking photos with the army personnel and the weapons.
VT Mathew, General Officer Commanding (GPC) Karnataka-Kerala Sub-Area, said: "The main aim of celebrating Army Day is to bridge the gap between civilians and the army. We want people to know who their army is, what they do, and what equipment they use. Such public events will also motivate the youth to take up the army and serve the nation.
" Mahanyas Bhimineni, a 9-year-old from Vijayawada who was on a 3-hour layover at the airport, rushed to see the weapons displayed. "I was eating lunch when I got to know about the weapon display by the Indian Army. I forced my father to take me as I am a huge fan of the Indian Army.
I love playing the Bullet Echo Game, where we play with weapons, and I was thrilled to see those same weapons in real life, touch, and feel the weapons like the AK-47. I am so glad we had a layover in Bengaluru." The family was travelling from Andhra Pradesh to Singapore.
Vaishali Thapa, another traveler who was seen along with her daughter enjoying the weapon show, told STOI, "My father is a retired Army personnel based from Dehradun, and it was surprising and a moment of pride for me to see all the army weapons again, which I saw a few years ago. As a daughter of an army personnel, I was lucky enough to see the weapons, and now my daughter got to see them here in Bengaluru." Augustin, travelling to Kochi, was keenly recording the officers explaining the weapons.
"The Indian Army itself is a source of pride for us. We get to see and know about the army mostly through movies these days. It was super thrilling to see all those weapons in real, talk to the army personnel, and know their real experiences.
It was exceptional. More such public events about the Indian Army should be organised so that the public knows about the Jawans and their stories, which will inspire the youth.".
