As an unending stream of visitors trooped into the venue on the final day of DefExpo at Naqueri-Quitol, the consensus veered around the need for holding such exhibitions in the State, given its underlying business potential and motivating students in the technical arena. The Goan spoke to some of the visitors for their reactions
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“Expos should be held for a longer time,” say Venkatesh Talaulikar, service
“It is an excellent event as everything in the field of defence can be seen in one place. Especially for the youngsters, who may be inspired to join the Armed Forces. The venue also is excellent but the Expo should be held for a longer time.”
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“The country has progressed in its armed might,” says Santosh Lotlikar, Vasco-based businessman
“This is a very impressive expo. A layman in the State has got the opportunity to witness it. As an Indian, I feel proud that our country has progressed in its armed might and is capable of defending our motherland. I feel DefExpo must be held once again in Goa so that every Goan understands the defence might of the country.”
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“DefExpos are a costly affair, although they create awareness,” say Sharad and Arvind Godkar, Mumbai
“We have come all the way from Mumbai to visit our native place and made it a point to visit this expo. India has made a lot of progress on the high technology side. Seeing is believing as most of our countrymen do not know what positive contribution our own countrymen are giving for our country. However, DefExpos are a costly affair although they help in creating general awareness. Once a time is good enough as it involves huge expenditure which the defence may perhaps afford.”
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“Biggest global event in Goa after CHOGM,” says Alka Phal Desai, teacher at govt school, Balli
“The DefExpo is a very informative exercise where people can get to see the nation's military technology on display. Arranging such a show at such a short notice was not an easy task. I feel it must be held in Goa to enable Goans to see such a massive might of our defence forces. Perhaps after CHOGM in 1983 in Goa, this may be the biggest international event to be held in Goa.”
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“Local business activity got a boost,” says Amrish Naik, diesel supplier for DefExpo and owner of Shree Shantadurga petrol pump, Panzorconi
“Local business activity has got a tremendous boost due to DefExpo. Particularly local taxis and local self help groups, as the latter supplied food items over the past eight days. I am a supplier of diesel at the venue. The expo could be an inspiration and hence, it has to be conducted again in Goa. Goan students may get motivated to join the armed forces.”
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“Our hotels were booked for one week,” says Sali Bhobe, General Manager, 'Nanutel', Margao
“It is a good experience as the DefExpo is held for the first time in Goa. For almost one week, many of those at this expo were accommodated at our hotel and resort. DefExpo is a 'Give and Gain' event as it gives scope for ancillary industries like taxis, airlines to explore business. To a certain extent, the expo needs to be held in Goa. Just look at Goan companies like Pai Kane Group, Chowgules, who have participated in the expo. Thus, they get an opportunity to partake in the Make in India effort.”
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“Cutting-edge technology will motivate engineering students in the technical arena of the armed forces,” Tejan Kharangate, Electronics Engineer, Goa Engineering College
“DefExpo 2016 exhibits cutting-edge technology and for all individuals, it is a life-time experience. As far as engineers are concerned, they will definitely be motivated on the technical side and not much towards the on-field armed activity. Most equipment used by the armed forces has been displayed at the expo. It must be held in Goa as students in metros like Mumbai, etc are already exposed to such activities.”
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“Full business for 15 days, hold more such exhibitions,” says Lavoo Kerkar
“For the past 15 days, we had full business activity, be it small hotels, bars and plying of taxis. This helped many villagers in their business activity. In view of this, it is my earnest appeal to the government to make Naqueri-Quitol as a permanent venue of DefExpo. In fact, we urge the government to hold more such exhibitions of this nature at this same venue.”
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"The opposition for the expo is baseless," Demu Gaonkar, Valpoi
"With the organisation of DefExpo, we got an opportunity to witness different equipments and vehicles in the defence sector. The opposition for the expo is baseless. It should definitely be organised in Goa, once again."
"Organisers have done a commendable job," Amit Naik, Aldona ******
"By keeping the expo open for common man, the organisers have really done a commendable job. Things that we watch on television and read in books, we have seen them live. Also the live demonstrations by Sarang helicopters were truly spectacular."
"If the expo is organised in Goa again, it should be kept open for locals everyday," Krishna Velip, Margao *******
"I would suggest that henceforth if the expo is organised in Goa, it should be kept open for locals everyday, but may be for a specific time. Today, as nearly thousands of people visited the expo, it became difficult for the participating companies to give demonstrations to all the visitors."
"Live demonstrations that we witnessed were thrilling," Khushali Gaonkar, Pali
"The live demonstrations that we witnessed were thrilling. Such kinds of things we have watched only on television. I feel Goa should be made a permanent venue for DefExpo so that we can witness such things more often."
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"The expo was one of its kind experience for Goa," Nandan Prabhu, Porvorim
"The DefExpo was one of its kind experience for Goa. We got to know about the advanced technology that India's defence sector possesses. I hope Aero show too is organised in Goa."
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LoI signed for Reactive Jammers, set to benefit BSF, ITBP
THE GOAN / NETWORK
NAQERI-QUITOL: In order to ensure adequate protection to the country's security forces in the field, Elbit Systems --- Elistra, Israel and Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) at Alpha's Stall at Defexpo 2016 for the indigenous manufacture of Reactive Jammers.
This is expected to pave the way for large quantities of these Reactive Jammers to be manufactured at Alpha Design Technologies, Bangalore for the Indian market and for exports.
Sources claimed that the indigenously built Reactive Jammers could prove beneficial to the Border Security Force (BSF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
This step is also in alignment with the Prime Minister's 'Make In India' initiative. It is also learnt that the idea is to create a tiered vendor base for supporting indigenisation and localisation requirements and hence seeks to setup a final asembly and integration line by incorporating true transfer of technology for supporting the product range during its life cycle.
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SNIPPETS
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COPTER CATCHES PEOPLE'S FANCY
The morning proceedings' were heralded by the swift landing of a Naval helicopter at the Defexpo 2016 entrance, which proved to be the centre of attraction for the people who were just making their presence felt on the penultimate day of this event.
THE GOAN FLAVOUR
The massive event that is Defexpo 2016 had a dash of Goan flavour. Goan companies -- Pai Kane Group, Goa Tourism, West Coast Shipyard, Goa Shipyard, Chowgule Group, Mandovi Drydocks, Vijai Marine Shipyards -- participated in the event.
DUST PLAYS SPOILSPORT
Live demonstrations of MBTs, LCA, 'Sarang' helicopters attracted huge crowds as spectators in the stands were overfull and carpeted space in the open area was thrown open for the spectators. But mounds of dust generated by the MBTs live-in-action proved a spoiler as crowds were ill at ease, withdrawing to the periphery to combat the dust.
THE 'SELFIE' CRAZE
Students and citizens alike have taken to selfies like a fish to water. Defexpo 2016 provided ample opportunity to satisfy the selfie-craze, as stalls displaying military hardware, particularly the DRDO stalls, proved to be a major hit with onlookers posing for a selfie with the sophisticated and lethal armed equipment.
BAL RATHS AND STUDENTS
Some schools put their 'Bal Raths' to best use, ferrying their students at Defexpo 2016 while the Raths were parked at the parking lot at the venue.
