Kodava traditional Odi Kathi presented to Defence Minister

Madikeri :

Stating that Kodagu has some of the best military and sporting traditions in the country, Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said he was here to touch the soil that gave birth to late Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, Gen. K.S. Thimayya and other Generals who have served the Indian Army.

He was addressing the closing ceremony of Shantheyanda Family Hockey Tournament at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Ground here on Sunday.

Responding to a memorandum submitted by the tournament Organising Committee President Shantheyanda Ravi Kushalappa seeking a branch of the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Kodagu, conferment of Bharat Ratna Award posthumously to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and Gen. K.S. Thimayya, establishment of a DFRL unit in Kodagu and setting up of an exclusive Kodava Regiment in the Indian Army, among other things, Parrikar said he agrees that Kodagu should have been the location of some kind of military training institute and that he would definitely work on the idea. He observed that it was a tragedy that there is no military academy or military college in the district though a large number of youth from Kodagu were serving in Indian Defence Forces.

Assuring that he would raise the idea of setting up a Hockey Academy or Sports Authority in the district with the Sports Minister, Parrikar appreciated the people of Kodagu for their contribution to the armed forces.

Kodagu District-in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao in his speech, praised Parrikar for attending Kodava Hockey Festival despite his busy schedule. Terming Kodagu district as ‘Karnataka Ratna’ for its contributions to the country’s armed forces and sports, Dinesh Gundu Rao sought the co-operation of all concerned to take Kodagu to much greater heights through development. Shantheyanda family Pattedar Shantheyanda B.Monnappa presided.

Kodava Hockey Academy President Pandanda Kuttappa, Legislators K.G. Bopaiah, Appachu Ranjan and Sunil Subbramani, AICC spokesperson Brijesh Kalappa, Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Dr. K. Bhyrappa, Madikeri CMC President Sumathi Bangera, ZP President B.A. Harish, Organizing Committee Working President Veena Achaiah and others were present.

Earlier, Parrikar who arrived in a IAF Helicopter at the Golf ground helipad, was given a warm welcome by the district administration, Police Department and the tournament organisers.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / May 09th, 2016