'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.