Main battle tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery guns and much more await visitors at the Know Your Army Mela 2012 which opens on Saturday morning at the spacious Colachal Stadium of the Military Station, Pangode.
Being organised in the city after a gap of four years, the two-day Army Mela is intended to offer the public a glimpse into the 11 lakh-strong Indian Army.
Entry is free and the Army is also organising a free medical and eye camp for the public and military personnel on Saturday. Registration for the camp will begin at 9.30 am at the Military Hospital, Pangode. Army doctors will examine the patients. Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor will inaugurate the camp at 11 am. Lieutenant General V K Pillai, General Officer Commanding, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka Area, will inaugurate the Army Mela stalls at the same time.
Defence Minister A K Antony will formally inaugurate the Mela at 2 pm. This will be followed by horse show, sky diving, kalaripayattu, dog show, band display, paramotor display and motorcycle display.
One of the major attractions of the expo is a T-72 battle tank brought from Hyderabad. Also on display will be artillery guns and small arms, including AK-47 and INSAS rifle. The Mela will come to a close on Sunday.