ARDE open house on foundation day

PUNE, Sept 17: One of the largest laboratories functioning under the Development Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Armament Research and Development Establishement (ARDE) is usually out of bounds to most of those interested in keeping abreast of developments in the country’s defence requirements.

The premier establishement which celebrates its Foundation Day today, will open its doors to the public on September 26 where the country’s pride – the Pinaka Multibarrel Rocket Launcher system, which has a range of 39 kms and has a battery of six launcher vehicles , the much-talked about MBT Arjun battle tanks, remotely delivered mines, the famous 5.56 mm small arms systems popularly known as the INSAS guns will all be on display.

Vice chancellor of Pune University Dr Arun Nigavekar will deliver the Foundation Day lecture on September 24. Director Dr S K Salwan who dwelt at length on the progress made by the laboratory in the last 40 years revealed that awards will be presented to scientists on the Foundation Day. Parshuram Bharatbhushan Joshi has been selected as the best young scientist this year, while Chandrakant Sudhir Jadhav and Prahlad Sandeep Avachat have been selected as the best sientific and technical staff. P Haridasan, KrishnanRajesh Nair and RK Kandalkarn have won the awards for the best supporting staff.