During the 1965 war, his son K C Nanda Cariappa, an Indian Air Force pilot who went on to become Air Marshall, was shot down over Pakistan by Army officer Major Zaidi. He was captured and imprisoned as a PoW by him. On realizing the identity of the wounded soldier at Dargil, Radio Pakistan immediately announced the safe capture of Flt. Lt K C Nanda Cariappa. Gen Ayub Khan, himself contacted Field Marshal Cariappa, who was living a retired life at Mercara, his hometown, with information about his son’s safety. When Gen. Khan offered to release his son immediately, Field Marshal is reported to have scoffed at the idea and told him to give his son no better treatment than any other PoW. “He is my son no longer,” the old soldier is reported to have thundered. “He is the child of this country, a soldier fighting for his motherland like a true patriot. My many thanks for your kind gesture, but I request you to release all or release none. Give him no special treatment,” the Field Marshal is reported to have said.

As a token of gratitude for the exemplary service rendered by him to the nation, the Government of India conferred the rank of Field Marshal on Cariappa in his 87th year, on 14 January 1986. He is among only two Indian Army officers to hold the highest rank of Field Marshal (the other being Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw).

Today is the birth anniversary of Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa – the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.

On this occasion, MCC had organised a celebration of the birth anniversary of the Field Marshal. MCC Mayor M J Ravikumar garlanded the statue of K M Cariappa, near Metropole circle, Mysuru. Sweets were distributed to public.

Bopanna, Chengappa, Aiyappa, members of Kodava samaj, members of MCC participated in the function.

source: http://www.citytoday.news / City Today / Home> Mysore / CT Bureau / January 28th, 2017