Karisma Aiyappa (centre) was crowned ‘Mrs. Bharat California 2025’ by Mydream TV USA at an event held at California recently.
Karisma, a HR/logistics professional in Silicon Valley, is a former State-level athlete and a passionate dancer.
Picture above shows Karisma walking the ramp in the traditional Kodava attire
A native of South Kodagu and daughter of Poilengada P. Machamma and late Alemanda Aiyappa, residents of Kuvempunagar in Mysuru, Karisma is married to Abhishek, an employee of Microsoft, Bay Area, California, USA.
Karisma’s participation in various Coorg events in the USA showcases her commitment to her heritage.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / May 13th, 2025
In the lush hills of Kodagu, a remarkable sporting and cultural phenomenon has reached a new milestone. The 25th edition of the Kodava Hockey Festival — hosted this year by the Kundyolanda family — has officially entered the Guinness World Records as the largest field hockey tournament, boasting an astonishing 3,640 players across over 360 family teams.
This year’s month-long edition ran across three grounds and finished late April.
What began as a dream in 1997 by the late Pandanda Kuttappa, a former hockey referee and State Bank of India employee, has transformed into an unparalleled spectacle of sport and community.
His vision was simple yet profound: unite the globally dispersed Kodava community through hockey — a sport embedded deep in their identity. Kodagu, often called the “cradle of Indian hockey,” has produced over 50 national players and seven Olympians, making the festival a natural extension of local pride.
“This festival is about more than just winning or losing,” Pandanda K. Bopanna, president of the Kodava Hockey Academy and son of the founder, told The Hindu newspaper.
“It’s about keeping our culture alive, connecting generations, and celebrating our heritage.”
This year’s silver jubilee celebrations were extra special. According to the official Guinness World Records entry, the event was recognised for having the most field hockey players in a tournament, overtaking all previous records.
“We have a rich tradition of serving the Armed forces. The British were already playing hockey and they found that the Kodavas had taken to the sport well. With a little bit of encouragement, the sport caught on,” says Navin Poonacha Kanganda, who has promoted the festival in the digital space, told Red Bull a few years ago.
A women’s tournament featuring 30 teams was introduced for the first time, symbolising the progressive spirit of the Kodava community. The festival torch — akin to the Olympic flame — was ceremoniously carried to the ancestral Ainmanes of past host families, reinforcing the powerful links between tradition and sport.
The Deccan Herald captured the festival’s atmosphere, describing the grounds as “a place where hockey sticks clash as fiercely as family pride, amid a carnival of Kodava culture.”
Traditional Kodava attire, food stalls, cultural performances, cyclothons, and shooting competitions lend the event the feel of a grand village fair — with hockey at its heart.
From humble beginnings in the small village of Karada with just 60 teams, the festival has grown into a massive undertaking requiring three specially-prepared mud fields, an effort largely borne by the host families.
“Despite international recognition, the festival struggles with basic sports infrastructure,” Bopanna noted. “The government must do more — a permanent hockey stadium in Kodagu would honour the festival’s contribution to Indian hockey.”
For the Kodavas, the festival is more than a sporting event.
As Ajjinikanda Mahesh Nachaiah, president of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, put it: “It’s a reunion, a business hub, a marriage bureau, and a cultural festival all rolled into one.”
The clatter of sticks and laughter of reunited families echo a truth that Pandanda Kuttappa knew all along: hockey, for the Kodavas, is life itself.
source: http://www.thehockeypaper.co.uk / The Hockey Paper / Home> Features / by Hockey Paper Staff / May 06th, 2025
Chenanda to host 26th edition of Family Hockey Tournament at Napoklu in 2026
Madikeri:
The Mandepanda family was declared the winner of the Muddanda Hockey Festival 2025 held at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds, Madikeri, after heavy rain interrupted their final against the Chendanda family yesterday.
Mandepanda was leading 1-0 when a downpour forced the match to be abandoned just over 12 minutes into play. Later, the organisers issued a statement confirming Mandepanda as the champions of the Silver Jubilee edition of the Kodava Family Hockey Festival.
Amidst overcast skies and thunderous cheers from the crowd, the much-anticipated final had begun with high energy. Chendanda earned the first penalty corner early on, but Olympian Nikin Thimmaiah failed to convert the opportunity.
Mandepanda responded with sharp counterattacks, securing their first penalty corner, which Gautam successfully converted to give Mandepanda a crucial 1-0 lead in the first quarter.
Rain began to intensify during the second quarter as Chendanda pushed hard for an equaliser. Despite earning back-to-back penalty corners, they failed to break through Mandepanda’s defence. As lightning flashed and thunder rolled, torrential rain forced a suspension of play.
Relentless downpour left the field waterlogged. After about half an hour of efforts to clear the standing water, the match briefly resumed. Chendanda came close to scoring, but Mandepanda’s young goalkeeper Dhyan Bopanna made a brilliant save to preserve his team’s lead.
Moments later, the rain returned with greater intensity, turning the ground into a virtual stream. With further play impossible, officials from the Kodava Hockey Academy, referees and team managers declared Mandepanda the winners.
Despite being soaked twice over, the spirit of the crowd remained unbroken. Spectators packed into gallery corners, cheering, clapping and even dancing in the rain. However, disappointment lingered among fans and organisers alike, as many had hoped for a full and thrilling conclusion to the Silver Jubilee tournament. Earlier, in the third-place match, Nellamakkada defeated Kuppanda (Kaikeri) 2-1 to claim third spot.
The Kambiranda family that won the Muddanda Cup Women’s Hockey Festival 2025.
VIP speeches delay action
The final was marred by significant delays and drew heavy criticism from spectators. Many expressed frustration over poor planning and coordination, blaming the organisers for nearly four-hour delay in starting the final.
Originally scheduled to begin at 11 am, the final was postponed due to an extended inaugural ceremony where several Ministers and elected representatives delivered prolonged speeches, pushing the start time to around 2 pm.
Home Minister Dr. Parameshwara addressing the gathering.
Mere minutes after play commenced, heavy rain lashed Madikeri, leading to the abandonment of the match. “When a match is scheduled for 11 am, starting it at 2.30 pm is simply unacceptable — especially with rain forecasts and spectators waiting, hungry and eager, to watch the finals,” many said.
“Are we here to watch hockey or to listen to endless speeches?” one frustrated fan remarked. Spectators further noted that in professional tournaments, VIPs attend to witness the sport, not to hold the mic and deliver lengthy lectures, disregarding the value of spectators’ time.
Among the speakers were Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, Higher Education Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Virajpet MLA and CM’s Legal Advisor Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna, Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda, MLC Mandepanda Suja Kushalappa, Kodava Hockey Academy President Pandanda Bopanna and Muddanda Hockey Festival Committee President Muddanda Rashin Subbaiah.
Just minutes after the final match between the Mandepanda and Chendanda began, heavy rains lashed Madikeri, leading to waterlogged grounds.
World Wide Book of Records recognition
The Silver Jubilee Muddanda Cup set a new record with 396 men’s teams comprising 5,544 players competing in 397 matches, alongside 58 women’s teams with 464 players competing in 57 matches during the five-a-side tournament.
The festival was officially entered into the World Wide Book of Records, with Sindhuja, a representative from the record book, announcing the recognition at the closing ceremony and presenting the certificate to the Muddanda family.
The 26th Kodava Family Hockey Festival will be hosted by Chenanda family at Napoklu in 2026. The family ceremoniously accepted leadership during a flag procession held on the Muddanda Cup Grounds.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Sports / April 28th, 2025
Another Mysurean Drithi Bopanna, pursuing M.Sc., in Global Business Management at Rennes School of Business, France, has been selected as a scholarship delegate for United Nation Organisation’s Annual “Change the World” Conference to be held at the UN Headquarters, New York City, in March 2019.
An alumnus of St. Joseph’s Central School and Sapient College, Vijayanagar, Drithi is the daughter of late Puliyanda Nithin Bopanna and Dr.Sujatha Bopanna, Dean of Studies, De Paul Degree College, Mysuru.
About the conference
The “Change the World Model United Nations (CWMUN)” is an annual international meeting attended by 2,500 students from all over the world, where they debate the major issues of international political agenda.
Kodava family hockey tournament celebrates silver jubilee
Madikeri:
Stage is set for the premier Kodava Family Hockey Festival which begins at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds from tomorrow.
This year’s ‘Muddanda Hockey Namme’ also marks the 25th edition of the tournament. A total of 396 teams have registered to take part in the tournament compared to 360 teams in last year’s Kundyolanda Hockey Fest. The tournament will be inaugurated by Legal Advisor to Chief Minister and MLA Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds at 12 noon. Prior to the inaugural event, a traditional Kodava rally will be held from Gen. K.S. Thimayya Circle in the town till the College grounds.
Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, District Minister N.S. Boseraju, Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda, MLC Mandepanda Suja Kushalappa, Ajuna Awardee Anjaparavanda B. Subbaiah and Madikeri Kodava Samaja President Manduvanda P. Muthappa will be chief guests. Deputy Commissioner Venkatraja, SP K. Ramarajan and Kodagu University Vice-Chancellor Ashok Sangappa Alura will be the guests.
The inaugural ceremony will also feature an exhibition match between Kodagu Hockey Academy XI and Karnataka XI.
This year matches will take place at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds and at Police Parade Grounds. As part of the festival’s silver jubilee, a special ‘Kreeda Jyothi’ (Sports Torch) marathon will be held, visiting the Ainmanes (ancestral homes) of Kodava families. The marathon was flagged off by MLA A.S. Ponnanna and Leela Kuttappa, wife of Pandanda Kuttappa, the Founder of Kodava Family Hockey Tournament, on Mar. 25 at the Ainmane of Pandanda family in Karada village.
The Kreeda Jyothi has passed through the ancestral houses of Cheppudira, Alamenganda, Kallichanda, Machamada, Chekkera, Maneyapanda, Kuppanda, Nellamakkada, Mandepanda, Thathanda, Mandetira, Muddanda, Iychettira, Ballachanda, Biddanda among others.
To commemorate 25 years of the festival, a women’s hockey tournament has been introduced as part of the Muddanda Hockey Festival. So far, 40 women’s teams have registered and more entries are expected before Apr. 10 deadline. The women’s matches will be played at the Police Parade Grounds in Madikeri.
Tournament organisers have announced Rs. 5 lakh cash reward and a trophy for the winners of Muddanda Hockey Fest. Runners will receive Rs. 3 lakh cash reward along with a trophy and the losing teams in semi-finals will receive Rs. 1 lakh cash along with trophies.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Sports / March 27th, 2025
The 24-year-old Mysurean, Drishti Karumbaya, who emerged the Ladies’ Golf Champion at Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach County, Florida, celebrated her victory with the 78-year-old US President Donald Trump, who won the Men’s Golf Championship.
“I just won the Golf Club Championship, probably my last, at Trump International Golf Club, in Palm Beach County, Florida,” Trump wrote on social media on Sunday afternoon.
Drishti, daughter of Dentist Dr. P.G. Karumbaya (Palachanda Chethan) and Swetha Karumbaya (Kandrathanda), residents of Yadavagiri in Mysuru, is working as a Golf Coach at Palm Beach Atlantic University and is a member of Trump International Golf Club.
An alumnus of St. Joseph’s Central School and NPS International in Vijayanagar, Mysuru, she is a double major in Sociology and Human Development from California State University.
Having initiated into golfing when she was 9 years old at JWGC, Mysuru, Drishti had a Career Best Ranking of #5 in the U-13 category in India, was the runner-up in the Wester India Ladies & Junior Girls Championship in 2014, winner of the CGL Indian Gold Union South Zone Event by 11 strokes in 2015 and winner of the Prestige Golfshire IGU South Zone Junior Championship in 2016. She has also won various Championships representing California State University.
At the Trump International Golf Club Championship, Drishti won Stableford on day-1 and Matchplay on day-2 and 3.
Drishti’s younger brother Dhruv Bopanna is also a pro-golfer in Mysuru.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Sports / March 19th, 2025
The Kodava Family Hockey Namme (Festival) celebrates its 25th edition this year, with the Muddanda Cup Hockey Tournament set to begin on Mar. 28 and continue until Apr. 27.
Matches will be played across three different grounds, with 370 teams already registered for the competition.
Addressing the media in Madikeri yesterday, Kodagu Hockey Academy President Pandanda K. Bopanna noted that while 360 teams participated in last year’s Kundyolanda Hockey Fest, this year’s registrations have already reached 370, with a few more days left for additional entries.
He announced that the inaugural ceremony will feature an exhibition match between Kodagu Hockey Academy XI and Karnataka XI.
Tournament Director Badakada Deena Poovaiah and Coordinator Muddanda Roy Thammaiah will oversee the event.
Cheppudira Cariappa will serve as the main commentator, assisted by Maletira Srinivas, while Kecchettira Prasanna will be in charge of match coordination. The inauguration will also include a special felicitation ceremony honouring the Kundyolanda family, which achieved a Guinness World Record last year.
Umpire training
Hockey Academy Working President Mekerira Ravi Pemmaiah revealed that a training programme for hockey umpires will be conducted on Mar. 19 and 20 at Cauvery College, Virajpet, urging young hockey enthusiasts to participate.
Academy Vice-President Kukkera Jaya Chinnappa stated that several dignitaries, including Virajpet MLA and Chief Minister’s Legal Advisor A.S. Ponnanna, Madikeri MLA Dr. Manthar Gowda, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, MLC M.P. Suja Kushalappa, Rajya Sabha MP Ajay Maken, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Vekatraja, and Kodagu SP K. Ramrajan, will attend the grand opening ceremony.
Kreeda Jyothi
Muddanda Hockey Festival Chairman Muddanda Rashin Subbaiah confirmed that matches will take place at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds and the Police Parade Grounds. As part of the festival’s silver jubilee celebrations, a special ‘Kreeda Jyothi’ (Sports Torch) marathon will be held, visiting the Ainmanes (ancestral homes) of Kodava families.
The marathon will commence at 8 am on Mar. 25 from the Ainmane of the Pandanda family in Karada village, the pioneers of the Kodava Family Hockey Festival.
It will pass through eight Ainmanes in Ponnampet and surrounding areas before concluding on Mar. 28. On the inaugural day, a rally carrying the sports torch will proceed from General Thimayya Circle to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds, flagged off by MLA A.S. Ponnanna.
To commemorate 25 years of the festival, a women’s hockey tournament has been introduced as part of the Muddanda Hockey Festival. So far, 30 women’s teams have registered, and more entries are expected before the Apr. 10 deadline.
The women’s matches will be played at the Police Parade Grounds in Madikeri. Star Indian hockey players Lalremsiami Hmarzote from the women’s national team and Indian men’s team captain Harmanpreet Singh will visit Madikeri during the tournament.
Matrimonial meet
The festival will also feature a thand-bendhu (matrimonial meet) and a quiz competition at the venue. A special cyclothon is scheduled for Apr. 26, and DJ music will entertain spectators from the pre-quarterfinal stage through the final.
An open ‘Maja Run’ from Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle has also been planned as part of the celebrations. Parking arrangements have been made for 2,000 vehicles, and Bengaluru-based Vandana Trust will assist in waste management throughout the month-long event.
Additionally, a shooting competition will be held on Apr. 20 at Ground No. 2, featuring three categories: 50-metre .22 rifle shooting, 30-metre 12-bore gun shooting, and 15-metre air rifle egg shooting. A traditional coconut shooting competition will also be organised.
Muddanda Family President Muddanda B. Devaiah urged members of the Kodava community to participate in large numbers in the rally from General Thimayya Circle to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds, marking a significant milestone in the history of the Kodava Family Hockey Festival.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / March 16th, 2025
He joined the INA at the age of 17. His active involvement in the freedom struggle led to his imprisonment for eight months in Rangoon Jail from May to December 1945, officials said.
Indian National Army veteran R. Madhavan Pillai pays tribute at the National War Memorial at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on March 13, 2025. Photo: X/@adgpi
Lieutenant Rangaswamy Madhavan Pillai, a veteran of the Indian National Army (INA), celebrated his 99th birthday on Thursday (March 13, 2025) by laying wreaths at the National War Memorial and the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on Kartavya Path.
The wreath-laying ceremony organised by the Army was attended by senior military personnel and the public. “Today’s wreath-laying ceremony not only honours the sacrifices of the brave men and women who fought for India’s freedom but also serves as a poignant reminder of the nation’s ongoing journey to break free from colonial legacies while upholding the spirit of their sacrifice,” an officer said.
Indian National Army veteran R. Madhavan Pillai pays tribute at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s statue at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on March 13, 2025. | Photo Credit: ANI
Lt. Pillai was born on March 13, 1926, in the Swryan township of Rangoon district in Burma (now Myanmar). His father hailed from the Sivaganga region in Tamil Nadu. He joined the Indian Independence League as a civilian in 1942 under Rash Behari Bose. When Netaji arrived in Singapore, Lt. Pillai formally enlisted in the INA, also known as the Azad Hind Fauj, on November 1, 1943, at the age of 17.
After receiving his commission from the Officers Training School in Burma, he served as a recruitment and fundraising officer, according Army officials.
Serving as a recruiting officer and fundraiser, he mobilised support for the INA across 32 locations in Burma, including Hanthawaddy, Sawbwagale, Ywadanshe, Swryan, Yangon, and Mayongone. His active involvement in the freedom struggle led to his imprisonment for eight months in Rangoon Jail from May to December 1945, officials said.
Later, he served in the administrative branch at the INA headquarters in Rangoon under Major General K. P. Thimayya (elder brother of former Army chief General K.S. Thimayya). He was officially recognised as a freedom fighter by the Government of India on August 1, 1980.
On January 23, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated him on the occasion of Parakram Diwas at the Red Fort.
The Azad Hind Fauj was formed by Mohan Singh in 1942 and later revived by Netaji on October 21, 1943. United by the war cry “Chalo Delhi,” the INA aimed to secure India’s complete independence from British rule.
Several volunteers, soldiers, and overseas Indians — from regions as far as Malaya and Burma — joined the force. Lt Pillai’s life story embodies the courage and unity that defined the INA, another officer added.
In 2021, on the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji, Lt. Pillai was awarded a silver medal for his role in the INA and India’s Independence movement.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India / by The Hindu Bureau / March 14th, 2025
In the first few months of FY25, Indian coffee exports surpassed the $1 billion mark, registering an impressive 42.65% YoY growth. India’s diverse coffee regions, high-quality beans and unique farming techniques are increasingly filling gaps traditionally dominated by Brazil, Vietnam, Ethiopia and Colombia. However, strict EU deforestation rules pose challenges for small farmers due to high compliance costs.
India is the fifth-largest coffee exporter in the world. | Image: Shutterstock
A curious question—Are you team chai or coffee?
I’m team coffee by all means! A cup of steaming hot coffee is all I need to kickstart my day!
And not just me, lately the world is waking up to Indian coffee. For context, India’s coffee industry has achieved a significant milestone, with exports surpassing the $1 billion mark for the first time. Between April and November 2024, India’s coffee exports rose to a record high of $1.15 billion compared to $804.4 million during the same period last year, registering an impressive 42.65% growth.
Source: Department of Commerce
Seeing this remarkable growth, it is clear that India is redefining its traditional tea-dominated narrative by emerging as a strong global coffee exporter.
Sounds amazing, isn’t it? So, what’s brewing up India’s coffee exports?
Key markets driving growth
India exports coffee to more than 50 countries around the world. However, the major markets driving India’s coffee exports are Italy, Germany, Russia, UAE, Belgium and Turkey.
Source: Coffee Board of India
India is the world’s seventh-largest coffee producer. It is also the fifth-largest coffee exporter, exporting 403,051 tonnes of coffee between January and December 2024. On average, India exports over 70% of its production.
What is pushing India’s coffee exports?
Various reasons contribute to India becoming a key player in the global coffee market.
Firstly, major coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam are facing supply constraints due to erratic weather patterns—droughts and extreme heat—caused by climate change. With these giants struggling to meet the demands, India is creating enormous opportunities to step in and fill the gap.
Secondly, Indian coffee has a uniqueness that puts it ahead of its global competitors. It is grown using traditional techniques in natural forests. Interestingly, we are the only country in the world where coffee is grown under natural shade. Moreover, it is uniquely hand-picked without the use of machinery, naturally harvested and sun-dried. While the sun-drying method takes much longer than mechanical drying, it enhances the flavour of the beans. Besides, it is also eco-friendly as it does not contribute to carbon emissions.
Thirdly, coffee farming in other countries often involves chopping off existing vegetation, whereas in India, the forest canopy stays almost intact. This environmentally sustainable way of cultivating coffee aligns perfectly with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which prohibits coffee imports from regions that were deforested after 2020. This presents opportunities for Indian exporters.
Now you know the real reasons why Indian coffee typically commands a premium over the global benchmark!
The world looks to India for coffee
India mainly produces two varieties of coffee, Arabica and Robusta. While Arabica coffee has a mild aromatic flavour, Robusta coffee has a strong flavour on the taste buds.
FYI: India’s Robusta coffee is considered the best in the world, and its Arabica coffee is the second best, just after Columbia’s.
India primarily focuses on producing Robusta coffee, which accounts for 72% of India’s total production. Robusta coffee has a huge demand in the international markets, which is another reason for the surge in India’s coffee exports.
Did you know? India is considered the fifth-largest producer of Robusta coffee globally.
Not just this, Robusta beans are a favourite for instant coffee manufacturers worldwide. The rising demand for instant coffee in markets like Russia and Turkey has given a significant boost to India’s instant coffee exports, which make up a third of our total exports.
Besides, supply constraints in Brazil and Vietnam have led to a sharp rise in Robusta coffee prices. The prices have touched multi-decade highs, climbing more than 60% in 2024 alone. For context, Indian Robusta is fetching a premium of nearly $300 a tonne on the London-based ICE Futures Europe market. The surge in demand and prices presents Indian coffee exporters with a unique opportunity.
There is also a bitter reality to it
While Indian coffees are making a mark globally, let’s also accept the fact that the journey is not all that smooth.
Even though global prices are rising, coffee farmers are facing higher production costs due to rising labour costs and scarcity of labour. To put things in perspective, the labour cost in India is a massive 65%, whereas in Brazil it is just 25% of the total production cost. Why you ask? Well, it’s simply because the cultivation process is manual in our country.
Another challenge is growing climate changes and erratic rainfall patterns that severely harm the quality and yield of coffee and interfere with the sun-drying process.
That’s not all!
The EUDR compliance burden is putting extra pressure on farmers who will now need costly technological upgrades and struggle with heaps of paperwork, certifications and audits to meet the compliance requirements.
Having said that, the Coffee Board of India is developing a platform to help coffee producers in India comply with EUDR. While it will take some time to roll out, we might face some time-being challenges in exporting coffee to the EU.
So yeah, there are some challenges that we need to work on before India can climb the ranks to become a top coffee-exporting country.
The bottom line
Looking at the brighter side, India’s diverse coffee regions, high-quality beans and unique production process are increasingly filling gaps traditionally dominated by Brazil, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Colombia.
By 2032, the Indian coffee market is projected to reach $1,227.47 million, which is huge!
As demand for Indian coffee increases, it’s clear that the Indian coffee industry’s future is bright and full of flavour!
Cheers team coffee!
source: http://www.upstox.com / Upstox / Home> News> Upstox Originals / by Namita Salgiya / February 22nd, 2025
Lee Seong-ho, the Ambassador of South Korea in India, and other top diplomats on Friday visited the Indo-Korean Friendship Park in Delhi Cantonment, fondly recalling the contribution of Indian forces during the Korean War of 1950-53.
During their visit to the park, a symbol of strong ties between India and South Korea, the officials also paid tribute to late General K S Thimayya, a celebrated soldier who led the Indian contingent as Chairman of Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission (NNRC) in Korea headed by India.
“Ambassador Lee Seong-ho and his team visited the Indo-Korean Friendship Park on the 21st of February and paid homage to General Thimayya, who headed a UN unit dealing with the repatriation of prisoners after the Korean War,” the South Korean Embassy in India posted on X.
“We also recalled that India sent the largest number of medical personnel during the Korean War. Remembering the enduring friendship between Korea and India, the Korean Embassy will do our best to further develop our Special Strategic Partnership.” the post further added.
India’s First Indo-Korean Friendship Park was jointly inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Korean counterpart Suh Wook in March 2021.
The park, spotlighting India’s contributions as part of 21 countries which participated in Korean war 1950-53 under the aegis of the United Nations, was developed in joint consultation with India’s Ministry of Defence, Government of India, Indian Army, Delhi Cantonment Board, Embassy of Korea and Korean War Veterans Association of India.
Spread across a green area of six acres, the park has an imposing handshake artifact standing tall at the entrance bearing flags of India and South Korea besides a larger than life statue of General Thimayya.
South Koreans still remember General Thimayya, who was awarded a Padma Bhushan for his service in Korea, with gratitude and affection. General Thimayya also served as the Chairman of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission (NNRC) after the armistice and contributed to resolving the humanitarian issues arising out of the War.
India played an important role in the Korean peninsula after Korea’s independence in 1945, sending an army medical unit – the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance comprising 627 medical personnel, commanded by Lt. Col. A.G. Rangaraj – during the Korean War as part of the UN Command. The unit treated about 220,000 patients. During the Korean War (1950-53), both warring sides accepted a UN resolution sponsored by India and the ceasefire was declared on July 27, 1953.
India-South Korea diplomatic relations were elevated to a ‘Special Strategic Partnership’ in 2015 during the State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Seoul.
Source: IANS
source: http://www.socianews.xyz / Social News XYZ / Home> Diplomacy / by Gopi / February 21st, 2025
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