India's own Army Chief, Cariappa
Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa’s unwavering commitment to duty and service to his nation became the stuff of legend when he refused to save his own son because that would have meant affording him special treatment over his army brethren.
Field Marshal Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief on January 15, 1949, ending a long colonial legacy and shaping a new Indian Army grounded in discipline and unity.
Born in Coorg in 1899, KM Cariappa was among the first Indians in the British Indian Army. His leadership in the 1947–48 Jammu and Kashmir conflict was pivotal to India’s defence.
Country and duty above all
During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, his son, Squadron Leader KC Cariappa, was shot and captured by Pakistani forces while flying a Hawker Hunter aircraft.
Pakistan’s then President, General Ayub Khan, once a junior officer under KM Cariappa, offered to release his son as a gesture of goodwill. However, Cariappa refused, stating “He is the son of India now. Treat all prisoners equally”.
The decision stunned many but revealed a man who placed duty above blood. For Cariappa, no soldier was more important than another, not even his own son.
An honourable legacy
January 15 is now celebrated as Army Day, honouring Cariappa’s exemplary leadership and legacy. It marks Indian military’s coming of age, with one of its own at the helm.
His son, KC Cariappa, was later released and went on to become an Air Marshal. Both father and son through their distinguished service created a legacy of unwavering patriotism, equality, and honour not only for their fellow army folks but the country at large.
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