'Use money for welfare of poor'

The money used for the celebrations of birth anniversary can be used for the welfare of the poor, suggested retired Air Marshal K C Cariappa.

Speaking at the 120th birth anniversary celebrations of Field Marshal K M Cariappa, organised by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, Kannada and Culture Department at the Old Fort in Madikeri on Monday, he said, “Funds are wasted in the name of garlanding the statue and procession. The only thing that people will remember is the food that was served. My father (K M Cariappa) would not have liked it. Instead, the money can be used for the welfare of the people from next year.”

“For my father, the country came first,” he said.

“Lots of discussions are held in connection with the grant sanctioned by the government for observing birth anniversaries. The deputy commissioner, district in charge minister and MLA can think of utilising the amount for the welfare of the poor,” he added.

K C Cariappa said hundreds of people have lost their houses in the natural calamity. There is a need to take up rehabilitation work at the earliest.

MLC Sunil Subramani said, “The birth anniversary should be organised to create awareness among the youth on the achievements of Field Marshal K M Cariappa.”

“Cariappa could have spent his last days in Paris or London. However, he did not forget his native and came back to Madikeri and spent his last days here,” he said.

Field Marshal K M Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum President K C Subbaiah said, “The government has been observing the birth anniversary for the last several years. In spite of announcing the grant in the budget, the officials had failed to get the amount for the same.”

Retired Major B A Nanjappa said, “We should instil the patriotic fervour and time sense of K M Cariappa. He had contributed to the growth of the Indian Army.”

Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Lokesh Sagar said, “We should not forget farmers and soldiers of the country.”

In-charge Deputy Commissioner K Lakshmi Priya, Kannada and Culture Department Assistant Director K T Darshan and others were present.

MLAs K G Bopaiah, M P Appacchu Ranjan, MLC Veena Acchaiah, ZP President B A Harish did not take part in the stage programme. They had only garlanded the statue of Field Marshal Cariappa. Even District In-charge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh and MP Prathap Simha remained absent.

A procession was held from Cariappa Circle to Old Fort premises. Military band, folk art troupes, NCC, Seva Dal, Scouts and Guides were part of the procession.