Field Marshal KM Cariappa’s birth anniversary celebrated

MADIKERI: Air Marshal (retd) K C Cariappa, son of KM Cariappa, independent India’s first Field Marshal of the armed forces, said spending the money earmarked for celebrating the birth anniversary of his father for the welfare of the poor “will be a befetting tribute”.
Speaking after inaugurating the 120th birth anniversary celebrations of KM Cariappa at the fort premises here on Monday, he asked local representatives and officials to use the money for helping the poor from next year.

The government has sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for the celebrations.

Presiding over the event jointly hosted by the district administration and Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimmaiah Forum, MLC Sunil Subramani said the birth anniversary is an occasion to remember the great Field Marshal and to recall his contributions to the county. “This will inspire students to join NCC. The Field Marshal did not forget his hometown, and he settled in Madikeri after retirement,” the MLC said.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Lokesh Sagar said soldiers and farmers are the backbone of the country. “Many road junctions and streets in the country have been named after Field Marshal Cariappa,” he said.

Forum president Colonel (retd) Kandrathanda Subbaiah expressed his unhappiness over the delay in getting the grants for the celebrations this year. “This has happened due to the negligence on the part of the district administration, and this should not recur in future,” he said.

Major (retd) B A Nanjappa recalled the great service rendered by KM Cariappa for the country.

Early in the day, the participants garlanded the statue of Field Marshal Cariappa at Sudarshan Circle and offered flowal tributes. Many people, including students, offered puja to the Field Marshal’s memorial near Roshanara. A procession comprising ex-army personnel, students and the public was taken out through the main roads till the fort premises, the venue of the celebrations.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of another event, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, titular head of Wadiyar dynasty, said he was keen on demanding Bharat Ratna Award for K M Cariappa. “Besides being the pride of Kodagu, he showed interest in promoting tourism in the district in an environment-friendly way.’

President tweets greetings

President Ram Nath Kovind has wished the organizers celebrating the birth anniversary through tweets, both in Kannada and the Kodava language, which read: Field Marshal K M Cariappa is the proud son of Kodagu, Karnataka, and he is also the great son of India. He was one of the best army chiefs, and still remains as the fond national leader. The tweet was retweeted 536 times. Kodava followers appreciated the gesture of the President and for wishing them in their language.