A two-day ‘Know Your Army' exhibition that commenced at the JNTU grounds here on Wednesday provided an insight into the activities of Indian Army and career prospects for the youth.
A large number of college and school students had a rare glimpse of weapons and equipment that were displayed by the Army's 1 Electronics and Mechanical Engineering Center, Secunderabad.
A Russian–made T-72 tank, an Indian Combat Vehicle capable of amphibious operations, AK-47 assault rifles, a Thermal Imaging Integrated Observer System manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited, Machilipatnam, Indian Small Arms System, anti-material rifles, automatic grenade launchers, a Taiwanese Radio Integrated Navigation System, 105 mm light field guns, trigger mechanisms and cut models of engines of a Royal Enfield motorcycle and a four-wheeler caught the fancy of visitors.
Participating as the chief guest, Union Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju said ‘Know Your Army' exhibitions were being organised throughout the country to spread public awareness about Army and career opportunities offered by it to qualified youth. Indian Army was in need of youth capable of operating advanced machinery and weapons.
Army has excellent working conditions and good salaries that were set to increase further due to implementation of the Central Pay Commission recommendations.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony was focused on resettlement of those retiring from the Army. He cleared the proposal to impart certain skill sets to Personnel below Officer Rank (PBOR) before their retirement, through the regimental centres.
This would enable the PBOR to earn jobs or set up their ventures post-retirement. The feedback of business bodies was sought to know their requirements so that the PBOR could be trained for jobs in the industrial sector.
Mr. Pallam Raju said Andhra Pradesh was the lowest contributor of manpower to the Army, a trend that needed to be reversed particularly at a time when South Asia was mired in instability. India's 7,500 km - coastline needed to be carefully guarded in the aftermath of 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
These kinds of challenges heighten the importance of trained youth joining the three Services -- Army, Navy and Air Force, not only from A.P but other States too.
Polyclinic
The Army has sanctioned an ECHS polyclinic for Kakinada, for which empanelling of hospitals was in progress, the MoS announced. Army General Officer Commanding (A.P. Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) Lt. Gen. B.K. Chengappa, 1 EME Center (Secunderabad) Commandant Brig. Vibhuti Bhushan, Collector M Ravi Chandra, Superintendent of Police Y Nagi Reddy, Zilla Parishad chairman Ch Venugopala Krishna and others took part.
