Madikeri:
Lieutenant General A K Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Headquarters Southern Command, was here to be at the late Field Marshal K M Cariappa’s 113th birth anniversary observace. He arrived on Friday.
At a touching ceremony jointly organized by the department of Kannada and culture, Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy and Field Marshal Cariappa Forum on Saturday, Jan 28 – the day the great man had been born in 1899 – he received the military guard of honour and then spoke highly about him and the land he hailed from, namely, Kodagu.
“India is ready to face great challenges from adversaries in spite of the talks of friendship. Besides, all citizens should be alert of security threat in the country. We are fully alive and alert to face those elements which harm the trust and honour of the nation,” he asserted.
He said Kodagu district had given a number of soldiers to the armed forces. The trend must continue and more and more youngsters from here should join the Services, he said. He said that he had always longed to visit Kodagu, which had given great soldiers like Field Marshal Cariappa, General Thimmaya and Subedar Guddemane Appaiah Gowda. The visit was finally possible because of the 113th birth anniversary of FM Cariappa.
Having served as the Commander-in-chief of the armed forces of independent India FM Cariappa, he made a significant contribution to the nation. The country should always remember his discipline, efficiency, honesty and patriotism. Remembering him itself could inspire anyone to inculcate self-respect, dedication and discipline, he further said.
Lt Gen Singh also said that golden canteen, healthcare, rest-house and other facilities had been made available to former Servicemen in Kodagu district. He also revealed that a grant of Rs 2 lakh would be made towards observance of FM Cariappa’s birthday on Army’s behalf.
State legislative assembly speaker and Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah, speaking on the occasion, said that it was fitting that the birthday of FM Cariappa, one of the greatest Army chiefs that India had seen, was being observed in a very apt way.
He also said that with the support of all elected representatives from the district, the government would be urged to observe the great man’s birthday throughout the state. The government had already declared two festivals of Kodagu, Tula Sankramana and Huttari, as official holidays. A request to declare FM Cariappa’s birthday as a public holiday would be submitted to the government, he said.
FM Cariappa was known for discipline, consistency and punctuality and the ideals and values he had stood for should be adopted by everyone. It was a healthy development that functions to recall such personalities were being arranged. During visits to elsewhere in the country or abroad, no one identifies Kodavas on their own. But a mention of Field Marshal Cariappa would give instant recognition, he further said.
Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan said that remembering the Field Marshal, who was known for discipline, honesty and commitment, by in itself was an inspiring experience. Pointing out the slump in the number of people from Kodagu joining the Armed forces, the youth should take his example of military discipline and dedication. Wishing that the birthday should be observed on a nationwide basis, he said already a library had been set up in Shanivarsanthe, the Field Marshal’s town of birth and assured to make more funds available for it.
MLC M C Nanaiah said the late Field Marshal deserved Bharat Ratna decoration and suggested that the state government would take steps to have it given posthumously to the great person. His birthday should be
Mysore-Kodagu Lok Sabha member H Vishwanath and FM Cariappa Forum convener Major Nanjappa also spoke on the occasion. Other highlights of the occasion was the release of a booklet on the Field Marshal, honouring of four individuals for their achievements and service, showering of flower petals on the Cariappa statue from a helicopter from above and an attractive march-past by NCC cadets, the Army band, police, Scouts and Guides etc. A traditional Kodava weapon, ‘Odikatti’ was presented to Lt Gen Singh.
C M Pemmaiah, coffee planter and Mandepanda Pushpa Kuttanna, a social activist, were also honoured. Besides, K C Ramamurthy, coffee planter, and Mukkatira Chengappa, a social activist, were honoured posthumously. There were spontaneous shouts of ‘Jai Cariappa’ when an army helicopter showered flower petals on the statue at the Sudarshan circle.
Kodava Sahitya Academy president Iymudianda Rani Machaiah, DC Dr N V Prasad, SP Manjunath Annigeri, Kanti Belliappa, Lt Gen C N Somanna, Lt Gen B C Nanda, Air Marshal K C Cariappa, Maj Gen B A Kariappa, Maj Gen K P Nanjappa, Col K C Subbaiah, FM Cariappa Forum vice president M M Ravindra, Kannada and culture department assistant director Vinod Chandra and many prominent citizens were present on the occasion.
Nanda Cariappa said on the occasion that his father was respected with awe not only by Kodavas but the entire people of Kodagu. His wife Meena Cariappa was with him.
Uliada Poovaiah welcomed the gathering. Madettira Belliappa and Daty Poovaiah compered the function. Kodava Samaj president Matanda Monnappa gave a vote of thanks.
source: http://www.connect.in.com / www.Mangalorean.com / Team Mangalorean – Madikeri / from Ashwini Appaiah / With Vartha Pics / publised January 29th, 2012
