It will be a show of strength and talent in Ranchi by the men in military fatigues this weekend in a suitable run-up to Independence Day. 

In order to reach out to civilians and motivate the youth to join the armed forces, Indian Army’s Cockerel Division is organising a two-day fair — Know Your Army — in Morabadi from Saturday. 

The mela aims at strengthening the bond between the army and the civil society besides inculcating a sense of nationalism and patriotismÂ?among people, a news release from the Cockerel Division said.

The fair, which will be inaugurated by general officer commanding of Cockerel Division major-general M.L. Mohan Babu, will showcase the prowess of the Indian Army by displaying its latest weapons and equipment, the release further read.

When this correspondent visited the rain-soaked venue, Army Football Grounds in Morabadi, on the eve of the fair on Friday, it was abuzz with some last-minute preparations amid intermittent drizzle. 

The army personnel were found giving finishing touches to various stalls, which will display infantry weapons like indigenously built anti-tank guided missile launcher with night vision, mortar, rocket launcher, dragon sniper rifle and Insas light machine gun.

A stall by the 104th Engineer Regiment will display the circuits of various kinds of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and the process to detect and defuse them.

They have also built a model infantry bridge, the kind that are constructed on water bodies for facilitating smooth movement of forces in unfriendly terrain. A member of the regiment said a 60-metre-long bridge like this could be built by 10 personnel in 20 minutes flat.

Besides, their stall will also have protective gear that can be used in case of biological or nuclear wars.

Apart from the show of valour, one will also witness softer skills of the army men over the two days. Various units of the division will present cultural programmes, which will include both pipe and jazz bands.

 A section of army personnel were seen rehearsing dances on Friday. While a team from 11 Bihar Regiment was practising a folk dance form of Jharkhand, another from 2/8 Gorkha Regiment was rehearsing khukuri moves. A mixed team of 14 Mahar Regiment and 104th  Engineer Regiment was brushing up its bhangra skills.

Besides the amalgamation of different cultures, food from various regions of the country will be available at stalls to cement the bond.

General officer commanding of 17 Corps lieutenant-general Rajeev Chopra will be the chief guest on the concluding day of the mela, entry to which is free for all.