Army chief pays tribute to the valour of people of Kodagu

‘Sacrifice of the people will always be remembered by the Indian Army’

General Bipin Rawat being greeted by Lt. Gen. B.C. Nanda (retd) during the unveiling of the statues of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa (right) and Gen. K.S. Thimayya at Gonikoppal on Saturday.

Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Saturday paid tribute to the courage and valour of the people of Kodagu, speaking after unveiling the statues of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General K.S. Thimayya at Gonikoppal.

“The sacrifice of the people of Coorg will always be remembered by the Indian Army. The land had provided great leaders who have been part of the Defence forces of the nation and that in the future also, there would be many distinguished leaders from this land,” said the Army chief.

Ex-servicemen’s welfare

Talking about the steps being taken by the Indian Army for the well-being of ex-servicemen, he said providing quality healthcare under the ECHS (Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) was a priority and suitable amendments had been made to ensure timely access to medicines.

Gen. Rawat also announced ₹10 lakh for a museum at Sunny Side, the residence of Gen. Thimayya in Madikeri. The two bronze statues were unveiled in the presence of Lt. Gen. R.K. Anand, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area; Major General K.S. Nijjar, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka & Kerala Sub Area; and office-bearers of the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum.

A release stated the site for the statues was provided by the Cauvery Educational Society and is located close to the ancestral house of Kodandera family belonging to the Generals.

The two statues are placed side by side about 25’ above the road level. The bronze statues, 7’6” in height, have been made in Bidadi by sculptor Vijay at a cost of ₹17 lakh. This is the only location in India where statues of the Army chiefs are co-located, the release added.