DRDO’s grand exhibition a crowd puller!
LUCKNOW: Of the many hangars on the Gomti Nagar railway ground, one of the venues of the 4th India International Science Festival (IISF) 2018 being organised in the state capital, the one set up by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) drew large crowds of visitors on Saturday.
The wide-ranging display included models of the latest aeronautical systems, armament and combat engineering systems, and communication systems.
Starting from models of long range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) to NBC Permeable Suit MK-IV to the ship launched heavy weight torpedo — the elaborate display gave the hangar a grand look.
“It’s a chance for us to see models of latest armament from close quarters. It is also an opportunity to get to know a part of our defence personnels’ lives,” said Shah Ahmed, a college student from Hussainabad area of the city.
Shobhit Khanna, a school student, said, “This exhibition is inspiring. We are getting to learn of facts and statistics about latest missiles, torpedos, tanks and other weapons that we had seen only in Hollywood movies so far. This place is definitely worth a visit.”
The armament and combat engineering system section was among the most crowded places on the day.
It housed look-alikes of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Pinaka MK III Guided missile, 120mm Penetration Cub Blast (PCB), Arjun MBT MK I, Arjun MBT MKII, Wheeled Armour Platform and other sophisticated systems.
“It’s perhaps the biggest display of the DRDO aimed at highlighting the achievements of the organisation. It is telling people how the country’s prosperity is being enhanced by establishing a world-class science and technology base and by equipping the defence services with internationally competitive systems and solutions,” said Hemant Shukla, scientist, DRDO, while answering visitors’ queries.
Shukla said the response of the people was “extremely positive”. “People not only inquired about the equipment, but also about how they could get into the DRDO. I am sure this exhibition will help many in determining the course of their career,” he said.
Other organisations that took part in the exhibition included the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Research Design and Standard Organisation (RDSO), the Green India Mission, the National Centre for Earth Science Studies, and the department of science and technology.