The IT hub’s first encounter with ‘Know Your Army’ at the Field Marshal Manekshaw parade ground here on Saturday was filled with the exhilarating sounds of roaring motorcycles and the awe-inspiring sight of para-motors soaring through the skies.The Know Your Army Mela 2025, which also showcased combat equipment, including tanks and drones, was organised by the Indian Army to commemorate the 77th Army Day.Hosted by the Headquarters Karnataka & Kerala Sub Area in Bengaluru, the event was inaugurated by Major General V T Mathew, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, who released tricolour balloons and felicitated the Veer Naris.One of the crowd-pullers at the mela was the daring performance of the Shwet Ashwa Motorcycle Display Team of the Corps of Military Police.According to a press note from the Headquarters Karnataka & Kerala Sub Area, the team was established in 1952 at the CMP Centre and School in Faizabad and holds three Guinness World Records, including one for carrying 48 members on a single motorcycle in 2010.The team had also previously performed at national and international events, including the 9th Asian Games (1982) and in Mongolia (2011), the press note added.On Saturday, their daring display drew gasps from the crowd. The Khukri dance, performed by the 4/8 Gorkha Rifles, was another hit among the visitors. The dance is a vibrant cultural display symbolising the courage and warrior spirit of the Gorkhas.The day featured cultural performances by over 2,000 schoolchildren from various Army, government, and private schools.The mela showcased state-of-the-art equipment, including tanks with mine-clearing capabilities, bulletproof vehicles, missiles, NBC warfare suits, drones, and communication systems.Visitors were introduced to engineering marvels like the Wayanad Bailey Bridge, built by the Army, as well as Army animals.Soldiers in full battle gear interacted with visitors, offering them an opportunity to experience the equipment firsthand.Stalls providing information on recruitment, medical assistance, the Army Placement Cell, and the Veterans’ Help Desk attracted many aspirants and ex-servicemen.
