Observe Field Marshall Cariappa's Birthday As National Festival

[Singh]

'Observe K M Cariappa's Birthday As National Festival'
​

'Field Marshal K M Cariappa should be conferred Bharat Rathna'



The 113th birth anniversary of Field Marshal K M Cariappa was observed grandeously in Madikeri on Saturday.

For the first time, the birth anniversary was organised jointly by the Kannada and Culture department, Karnataka Kodava Sahithya Academy and Field Marshal Cariappa Forum.

Indian Army South zone Chief Lt General Aditya Kumar Singh, NCC cadets, military officials participated in a large number. A floral tribute to the statue of Cariappa through helicopter.

The participants urged the Central government to observe January 28 as a national festival.
MLC M C Nanaiah said that K M Cariappa was the first commander in cheif of Indian army. His birth anniversary should be observed as a national festival. Cariappa who was known for discipline and was not in favour of observing holiday for the birthday of great personalities.
Hence, his birthday must be observed as a national festival instead of declaring a holiday.

He asked why Cariappa was not conferred Bharath Rathna award. All the elected representatives of the State should pressurise the Centre in this regard. Indian Army South zone Chief Lt General Aditya Kumar Singh said that there are several challenges before the security of the country. Indian army is capable of facing all the challenges. As a first commander in chief of Indian army, K M Cariappa has played a vital role in Indian army. He was known for discipline, and efficiency. Several programmes have been chalked out for the welfare of exservicemen.

He said that Madikeri Army Canteen has been renovated at the cost of Rs 48 lakh. ECH hospital will be set up in South Kodagu. He announced a sum of Rs 2 lakh from Indian Army for the programme.

Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah said that he will present a proposal of observing K M Cariappa's birthday as national festival. He called upon the students to inculcate the values of K M Cariappa in life.

MP H Vishwanath, MLA M P Appacchu Ranjanm Air Marsha (retd) K C Cariappa, Nalini Cariappa and others were present. Indian Army South zone Chief Lt General Aditya Kumar Singh was given traditional 'Odikathi' on the occasion.

Field Marshal Cariappa Forum presented golden medals to Pushpa Kutta, late K C Ramamurthy, C M Pemmaiah and late Dr Mukkateera M Changappa on the occasion.


‘Observe K M Cariappa’s birthday as national festival’

 

[Ray]

Good that the Coorgs are honouring their own!

On the issue of Bharat Ratna, that is going overboard!

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Good that the Coorgs are honouring their own!

On the issue of Bharat Ratna, that is going overboard!

http://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/defence/k-m-cariappa.html

Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa was born on 28 January 1899 in Coorg. After his formal education at Madikeri, he went on to study at the Presidency College, Madras. He was an active sportsman. Cariappa was one among the select few who was selected for the first batch of KCIOs (King's Commissioned Indian Officers) at the Daly Cadet College in Indore and was commissioned in the Carnatic Infantry. He was in active service with the 37 (Prince of Wales) Dogra in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) and then posted to the 2nd Rajput Light Infantry (Queen Victoria's Own). He went on to become the first Indian officer to undergo the course at Staff College, Quetta in 1933. In 1946, he got promoted as the Brigadier of the Frontier Brigade Group.

K.M Cariappa saw action in Iraq, Syria and Iran from 1941-1942 and then in Burma in 1943-1944 and became the first Indian Officer to be given command of a unit in 1942. He went on receive many awards and accolades in his distinguished career. In 1947, Cariappa became the first Indian to be selected to undergo a training course at Imperial Defence College, Camberly, UK. After India's independence, K.M.Cariappa was appointed as the Deputy Chief of General Staff with the rank of Major General. Thereafter, he became the Eastern Army Commander and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command during the outbreak of war with Pakistan.

K.M Cariappa was appointed as the first Commander-in-Chief of an independent Indian Army on 15 January 1949. Post-retirement from Indian Army in 1953, he served as India's High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand.

 

[Param]

Pragmatic Euphony � Field Marshal speaks in Hindi

 

[Ray]

There are some interesting stories about him. How far they are true, I don't know.

He was a total British officer and had a British accent even when talking Hindustani.

1. During Independence Day, he was giving a lecture and congratulated all since hamara watan muft (free) ho gaya hain!

2. While inspecting mules, he asked the name of the mule of the mule driver named Banta Singh.

Yea koti (khoti) ka naum kiaa ai?

The mule driver smartly saluted and told him - Banta Singh.

Cariappa was perplexed. He turned to the officer and said:

How come Banta Singh is the mule's name? The board says Neelam!