Military Hardware Display 2024: A peek into what it takes to defend the country | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
July 18, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025
Military Hardware Display 2024: A peek into what it takes to defend the country

Panorama

Jannatul Naym Pieal
27 March, 2024, 08:55 am
Last modified: 27 March, 2024, 01:12 pm

Related News

  • Mobile operators give 1GB free data to users observing 'Free Internet Day' today
  • CA Yunus stresses transparency in finalising July Charter
  • Yongtai Energy’s rejoinder and our reply
  • Fire at Sena Kalyan Bhaban in Motijheel under control
  • Adabor killing: Viral video shows how Sajeeb pulled pistol from bag and shot Ibrahim

Military Hardware Display 2024: A peek into what it takes to defend the country

Strong attendance at the show served as a testament to people’s admiration for the armed forces

Jannatul Naym Pieal
27 March, 2024, 08:55 am
Last modified: 27 March, 2024, 01:12 pm
The main attraction was the combat tanks and almost everyone was climbing onto them to take pictures of themselves. The children seemed especially ecstatic, as they were awestruck by the size of the vehicle. Photo: Mehedi Hasan
The main attraction was the combat tanks and almost everyone was climbing onto them to take pictures of themselves. The children seemed especially ecstatic, as they were awestruck by the size of the vehicle. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

At around noon on 26 March, the Independence Day of Bangladesh, the weather was extremely hot, with the sun blazing down on the earth. 

Despite the intense heat, a long line of approximately 60 people, mostly young individuals aged between 15 and 20, formed at the center of the National Parade Square in the capital's Tejgaon Old Airport.

Even though they were sweating profusely, there was a palpable sense of excitement on all their faces. They anticipated an experience unlike any other: they were going to have para commando exercises for the first time in their life, that too under the direct supervision of army personnel themselves.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The biggest line was for knife throwing, as it posed the least risk. But at the same time, some youths were also jumping in excitement for rope traversing and helicopter extraction.

For rope traversing, there was a tower at one side and a mini pole on the other, and participants were crossing through the free space between those two on a rope, without a hand cart or anything of the sort.

Photo: Mehedi Hasan
Photo: Mehedi Hasan

In the helicopter extraction challenge, the adventure escalated further. Five participants at a time clung onto the rope as a military vehicle, simulating a helicopter-like experience by extending a long pole, seemingly flew them in the air after "rescuing" them.

"It's the most memorable day of my life. For a moment, I felt like I had my heart in my hands. But from now onwards, I will respect the military personnel ten times more than before. They are indeed the real heroes," said a 16-year-old Sadat after finishing his adventure.

Sadat's face was clearly gleaming with joy as he couldn't wait to log into his social media account and inform everyone what he had just done.

"Coming to this military hardware display despite fasting has certainly paid off," he further shared with me. He now understood the kinds of risks that military personnel take to safeguard the people, adding that initially he thought that the display would be limited to the exhibition of some military vehicles and artillery only.

Photo: Mehedi Hasan
Photo: Mehedi Hasan

Nevertheless, such exhibitions were no less of an attraction for many others, as hundreds of school and college students, as well as young children holding their parents' hands, crowded around the display.

Clearly, the main attraction of the display was the combat tanks. Almost everyone was climbing onto the tanks to take pictures of themselves. The youngest children seemed especially ecstatic, as they were awestruck by the size of the vehicle.

"I have never seen a tank in person before. I like how massive and ferocious it looks," a five-year-old Prapti told me. She was also loving the patriotic songs being sung and poems being recited in the background, as evident from the way she was nodding her head to the rhythm.

In addition to tanks, there were also hundreds of other heavy and light hardware used by the army, navy, and air force troops. The list included infantry fighting vehicles, machine guns, missiles, rifles, grenade launchers, munitions, launch rockets, aircraft carriers, heavy craft bridges and much more.

Photo: Mehedi Hasan
Photo: Mehedi Hasan

But unlike the tanks, there was a prohibition against touching or riding on most other hardware, which was met with extreme disappointment by the young audiences. But some still found the silver lining in this.

"Once I too become a member of the force, no one would be able to stop me!" I heard a student from the Adamjee Cantonment Public School telling his friends. Interestingly, no one laughed at his remark; rather, they seemed to have taken this very seriously.

In total, there were 59 stalls and pavilions, each showcasing the contributions and bravery of the armed forces during the Liberation War in 1971. Additionally, these stalls and pavilions displayed the activities of the armed forces in nation-building since 1971, and their significant contributions to UN peacekeeping missions.

In the helicopter extraction challenge, the adventure escalated further. Five participants at a time clung onto the rope, simulating a helicopter-like experience. PHOTO: MEHEDI HASAN
In the helicopter extraction challenge, the adventure escalated further. Five participants at a time clung onto the rope, simulating a helicopter-like experience. PHOTO: MEHEDI HASAN

"I often tell my kids about the military forces and how formidable they are. I also tell them the tales of 1971. But certainly, they don't always grasp the intensity of this. So, today I have brought them here to experience firsthand how the armed forces work," said Maruf Hasan, a private sector employee.

According to Maruf, he himself had wanted to join the armed forces, but due to some health problems since childhood, he couldn't pursue this career. However, he hopes that both his son and daughter, aged five and three respectively, will one day join the armed forces.

"It's a good opportunity to grow their interest from a tender age," Maruf believes.

Meanwhile, an army captain, who requested not to be named, came to the display with his wife and children. He told me that he was really amazed by the number of visitors coming to the display on the very first day, despite the extreme heat and it being in the middle of Ramadan.

"The weather isn't ideal for civilians to leave their homes on a national holiday. However, the attendance so far has been very positive. It demonstrates how much people admire the armed forces and take interest in them," he said.

Photo: Mehedi Hasan
Photo: Mehedi Hasan

Notably, the display opened for visitors on March 26 and will remain open until March 30, from 10 am to 4 pm. It was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 24 March, and President Mohammed Shahabuddin also paid his visit to the display on 25 March.

Features / Top News

Military / army / Armed forces / Bangladesh

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk signing the MoU establishing an office of OHCHR in Dhaka on 18 July 2025. Photo: Courtesy
    UN rights office to open mission in Bangladesh; MoU signed
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and SpaceX Vice President Lauren Dreyer after a meeting at state guest house Jamuna on 18 July 2025. Photo: Focus Bangla
    SpaceX VP Lauren Dreyer praises Bangladesh's efficiency in facilitating Starlink launch
  • National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam speaks at a street rally at Krishi Bank intersection in Munshiganj town on 18 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Another battle awaits, we are preparing for it: Nahid

MOST VIEWED

  • Obayed Ullah Al Masud. Sketch: TBS
    Islami Bank chairman resigns
  • GP profit drops 31% in H1
    GP profit drops 31% in H1
  • Illustration: TBS
    Cenbank recognises 10 banks, 2 NBFIs as sustainable financial institutions
  • Rohingya refugees queue for water in a camp near Cox’s Bazar. File Photo: REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain
    Rohingyas start internal civil society polls in Cox's Bazar to form rights body
  • Around 99% of the cotton used in Bangladesh’s export and domestic garment production is imported. Photo: Collected
    NBR withdraws advance tax on imports of cotton, man-made fibres
  • Illustration: TBS
    FY26 monetary policy: To ease when is the question

Related News

  • Mobile operators give 1GB free data to users observing 'Free Internet Day' today
  • CA Yunus stresses transparency in finalising July Charter
  • Yongtai Energy’s rejoinder and our reply
  • Fire at Sena Kalyan Bhaban in Motijheel under control
  • Adabor killing: Viral video shows how Sajeeb pulled pistol from bag and shot Ibrahim

Features

Illustration: TBS

20 years of war, 7.5m tonnes of bombs, 1.3m dead: How the US razed Vietnam to the ground

17h | The Big Picture
On 17 July 2024, Dhaka University campus became a warzone with police firing tear shells and rubber bullets to control the student movement. File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS

17 July 2024: Students oust Chhatra League from campuses, Hasina promises 'justice' after deadly crackdown

1d | Panorama
Abu Sayeed spread his hands as police fired rubber bullets, leading to his tragic death. Photos: Collected

How Abu Sayed’s wings of freedom ignited the fire of July uprising

2d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Open source legal advice: How Facebook groups are empowering victims of land disputes

3d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Bangladesh's Lower and Middle Classes Under Pressure from High Prices

Bangladesh's Lower and Middle Classes Under Pressure from High Prices

11m | TBS Stories
Air India cockpit recording suggests captain cut fuel to engines

Air India cockpit recording suggests captain cut fuel to engines

1h | TBS World
Case filed against 500 unidentified individuals in Gopalganj violence; 45 arrested

Case filed against 500 unidentified individuals in Gopalganj violence; 45 arrested

1h | TBS Today
Why the conflicting claims over Gopalganj autopsies?

Why the conflicting claims over Gopalganj autopsies?

18h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net