On Army Day, we pay tribute to Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first Army Chief of India, who during the 1965 Indo-Pak war declined special treatment for his son, who was captured. The values of the Indian Army were shaped by his steadfast principles and leadership.
Picture the situation of a dad who finds out that his son, who serves in the Indian Air Force, has been taken prisoner by the enemy. Picture being given the chance for his release, yet you decline. For what reason? As every soldier is your child, you will not ask for special treatment.
Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa made history on January 15, 1949, by becoming the first Indian Army Commander-in-Chief of independent India, a position that had been reserved for the British.
Every year on January 15, Army Day is observed to commemorate KM Cariappa’s accomplishment, which exemplifies steadfast dedication and principled behavior for the nation.
A FATHER’S RESOLUTE CHOICE IN THE 1965 WAR
It was 1965, and the second Indo-Pak war was in full swing. While piloting his Hawker Hunter aircraft, Squadron Leader KC Cariappa—son of the renowned KM Cariappa—was shot down. He was captured by Pakistani forces and became a prominent prisoner of war.
General Ayub Khan, who was serving as Pakistan’s President and had previously served under KM Cariappa in the British Indian Army, proposed to release his son as a goodwill gesture.
The elder Cariappa turned them down with stoicism. “He is my son no longer,” he said. “He is the son of India, and every soldier in your custody deserves equal treatment.”
Although his choice shocked many, it reinforced his status as a leader who prioritized duty and ethics over personal relationships.
WHO WAS KM CARIAPPA?
KM Cariappa, who was born on January 28, 1899, in the tranquil hills of Coorg, was destined for greatness. He was one of the first Indians to enlist in the British Indian Army, breaking racial barriers during the time of British colonial rule.
He advanced through the military hierarchy and became the first Indian Army Chief in 1949, shortly after independence. His leadership in the 1947–48 Jammu and Kashmir operations was crucial for securing the region for India.
Cariappa, renowned for his secularism and focus on unity, transformed the Indian Army into a disciplined and integrated force.
THE LEGEND BEHIND ARMY DAY
Army Day, observed on January 15 each year, commemorates the day KM Cariappa assumed the role of Commander-in-Chief, succeeding General Sir Francis Roy Bucher.
It represented the handover of authority and the beginning of a time when India’s military was seen as a unified and self-sufficient entity.
Cariappa considered the army to be akin to his family. It was known that he walked among his soldiers, shared meals with them, and listened to their concerns. During the war in 1965, this philosophy was applied to his own son, demonstrating that he saw everyone as equals and no one as a favorite.
HIS LEGACY LIVES ON
KM Cariappa’s steadfast principles continue to inspire generations. For him, leadership was more about responsibility than privilege. He believed in treating every soldier as his equal and every mission as a sacred duty. His staunch principles still echo in the ethos of the Indian Army.
WHAT BECAME OF CARIAPPA’S SON?
Due to his father’s prominence and KC Cariappa’s own position in the Indian Air Force, he was treated with a degree of respect during his captivity in Pakistan. After the end of the conflict, he was released along with other Indian POWs as a result of diplomatic efforts that secured their return. Upon his release, KC Cariappa maintained his service in the Indian Air Force. Later on, he retired as an Air Marshal, having made significant contributions to the force throughout his career. He honored the legacy of KM Cariappa by adhering to the same principles of service, discipline, and patriotism as his father.
WHY THIS STORY MATTERS
On this Army Day, while we pay tribute to our military personnel, KM Cariappa’s life stands as a touching reminder of the essence of genuine leadership. His choice in the 1965 war went beyond just being about his son; it concerned establishing a precedent for fairness and equality during a time of conflict, the defining traits of an exceptional Army Chief. His actions emphasize a deep truth: genuine leaders transcend personal interests and opt to uphold values that inspire and bring people together. By doing this, they create a legacy that will withstand the ravages of time.
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