Army Band show at IG Park becomes a crowd puller

Bhubaneswar: The Army Band show at Indira Gandhi Park of Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) by the Pipe Bands of Panjab Regimental Centre, Ramgarhin Jharkhand and 120 Battalion Bhubaneswar, inspired hundreds of youth and general public on careers in Indian Army.

The unique show was organized by the Indian Army on the eve of 72nd Independence Day.

Under its “Music in Park” initiative, BDA had organized many musical events including the first Army Band show last year in collaboration with the Bhubaneswar Military Station. The event started at 4 pm and continued into the evening.

While 17 participants were part of the pipe band of 120 Battalion, the Punjab Regimental Centre’s band constituted 16 members. Apart from the military tunes, the bands also played patriotic numbers like ‘Aye mere watan be logon’ and many more evergreen songs.

The Army Recruitment Centre (ARO), Cuttack also created awareness on joining the Indian Army, during the event and spoke to youths and distributed promotional materials explaining the careers in the Indian Army and the various facilities rolled out for entrants.

Starting the show, Panjab Regimental Centre, Ramgarhin Jharkhand displayed their abilities under band master Desh Raj. The 120 Infantry Battalion band was led by band master Naib SubedarSapneswar Rout.

Both the pipe bands entertained the public with their electrifying moves and the various formations on the floor before the famous bronze statue of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who, had her last public speech at the same ground in 1984.

One of the spectators among the crowd, S. Naresh, a student said, “The show by the Indian Army and especially the information dissemination by ARO, Cuttack would definitely help people like us to join the Armed Forces and serve the Nation.”

Among others, Commanding Officer of 120 Battalion Colonel Jacob Freeman, Station Commander Colonel C. Sashi, Second-in-command Lt. Colonel JS Bhaduria, Adjutant Lt Colonel Narendra Singh, Quarter Master Major BhanuPratap Singh, Regimental Medical Officer Captain BBK Mohanty, Major Naresh Babu from ARO Cuttack, Subedar Major Ajay Kumar and Subedar BN Samal were present.