Page 50 - NIS ENGLISH 16-31 JAN 2022

Personality Field Marshal KM Cariappa

INDIAN BRAVEHEART WHOM

EVEN ENEMY USED TO SALUTE

Field Marshal is the highest rank of the Indian Army. But
in the history of independent India, only two persons from
the army have successfully occupied this highest military
ranking. One is General Sam Manekshaw and the other
General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa. Interestingly,
January 15 is celebrated as the 'Army Day' as on this day
Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief
of the Army in 1949. Born: 28 January 1899, Death: 15 May 1993

ndian army is one of the most disciplined and Jhangar and then pushed back the attackers
fearless armies in the world. This distinction has from Zojila, Dras, and Kargil.
Ibeen possible because of the untiring efforts PAKISTAN HANDED OVER HIS SON WITH FULL RESPECT
of the army Generals who assumed office from This incident is from the 1965 Indo-Pak war. After
time to time. Among these Generals, the name retiring General Cariappa was living at his home in
of General KM Cariappa features very high who Merkara, Karnataka. During this time his son, Nanda
is even remembered today for his patriotism and Cariappa was a flight lieutenant in the Indian Air
gumption. After getting a permanent commission in Force. On the last day of the war, Flight Lieutenant
1922, he served at the rank of second lieutenant to Nanda Cariappa was leading a mission to bomb
subsequently emerge as the field marshal, a 5-star Pakistani targets. His plane was destroyed during
rank honor. Born on 28 January 1899 at a place the ground attack and Cariappa was taken prisoner
called Shanivarsanthi in Coorg, Karnataka, Field by Pakistan. Pakistan President Ayub Khan had
Marshal Cariappa joined British Indian Army at the served in the army under General Cariappa. Upon
age of just 20. His father was a revenue officer in learning of Nanda's identity, Radio Pakistan
Kodandera Madikeri. There are several anecdotes announced that Flight Lieutenant Nanda Cariappa
associated with him that throw light on his towering was in their custody and was safe. Ayub Khan,
personality. through the Pakistani High Commissioner to India,
APPOINTMENT AS THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF offered to General Cariappa that his son could be
In 1946, Baldev Singh, who was the Defense released if he so desired. Cariappa politely refused
Minister in the Interim Government, had offered to and said that Nandu is the son of the country. He
make Nathu Singh, who was serving in the rank of should be treated the same way as other prisoners
Brigadier as India's first Commander-in-Chief. But of war are being treated. If you want to release him,
Nathu Singh declined the offer as he believed that then release all the prisoners of war.
Cariappa's claim to the post was stronger due to his EVEN ENEMIES RESPECTED CARIAPPA
seniority. After Nathu Singh, Rajendra Singhji was After the end of the Indo-Pak war, Cariappa went to
also offered this post, but he also did not accept that the border area to boost the morale of the Indian
post in honor of Cariappa. Then on December 4, 1948, soldiers. During this time, he crossed the border and
Cariappa was made the first Indian Commander-in- entered 'No Man's Land'. Nandu Cariappa writes in
Chief of the Army. his father's biography, 'On seeing him, the Pakistani
PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN MAKING LEH A PART OF INDIA commander ordered him to stop there, otherwise he
In November 1947, Cariappa was posted at would be shot. Someone shouted from the Indian
Ranchi as the head of the Eastern Command of border that this is General Cariappa. On hearing his
the Army. But within two months, as the situation name, the Pakistani soldiers lowered their weapons.
in Kashmir worsened, he was made GOC-in-Chief Pakistani officer came and saluted General Cariappa.
of Delhi and East Punjab in place of Lieutenant He retired from the army in 1953. After his retirement
General Dudley Russell. Under his stewardship, from the army, he worked as High Commissioner in
the Indian Army first captured Nowshera and Australia and New Zealand till 1956.

48 New India Samachar January 16-31, 2022