The 45th International Kolkata Book Fair is well underway and is pulling big crowds to the Central Park mela ground in Salt Lake. But the 600+ book stalls, 200+ little magazines, food kiosks, or even the karaoke booth, aren’t the only crowd pullers.
One thing that has left the crowds astonished is the firefighting robot — a thing of wonder even for non-sci-fi fans.
A venture by the Institute of Fire Service, under the aegis of the West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services, these robots are equipped to handle complicated fire-related emergencies.
The robots have become trusted helpers to the city’s firefighters
Ashim PaulLaunched at the Maidan in 2019, these machines, which look like a mix of a Pixar robot and the Mars Rover, have already become trusty tools for the city’s firefighters. “If our firemen cannot enter a place, we send in the robots. We also use them for rescue purposes as they are equipped with thermal imaging and night-vision cameras,” informed a senior fire department official.
So, whether you’re visiting the fair for books, food or just an adda, make sure to catch a glimpse of these two honourary firefighters.
