New Delhi :

The Kodava Sahitya Academy has demanded an exclusive Rajya Sabha (RS) seat for Kodavas on the lines of Anglo-Indian community and conferment of Bharat Ratna posthumously on the country’s first Field Marshal, Gen.K.M. Cariappa.

A delegation of Kodava Sahitya Academy, comprising its Chairman Biddatanda S. Thammaiah, Legal Advisor to Karnataka Chief Minister Palachanda Brijesh Kalappa and artiste Chekkera Pancham Thyagaraj, which met AICC President Sonia Gandhi at her 10 Janpath residence here recently, apprised her of the current status of Kodavas.

Responding to the delegation’s plea, Sonia Gandhi said that she was aware of Kodagu district’s unique geographical features, Kodava culture and traditions.

Recalling that Gen. K.S. Thimmaya’s sister Ammi was a Personal Secretary of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi reminded that it was Rajiv Gandhi’s Government which bestowed the ‘Field Marshal’ title on Gen. K.M. Cariappa on Jan. 14, 1986.

Sonia also assured that she would look into the demands of Kodavas and respond appropriately, said Brijesh Kalappa.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 10th, 2016