KM Cariappa’s statue unveiled at OTA

Recalling his first visit to the OTA 30 years ago, his son Air Marshal K C Cariappa said, “The first thing my father did after he took over the National Army was to take my sister and me to the Raj Ghat, where he said that if it was not for Mahatma Gandhi he would not be standing there.”

“He kept his troops at the highest level and when he retired, he did not express a desire for any rewards. But he wanted a statue of a Jawan in silver as he held great respect for them.”

“Hadn’t it been for these Jawans, I would not have been the commanderin-chief of our Army,” his son quoted the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.

Referring to Field Marshal Cariappa as the father of the Indian Army, Major General T K Kaul, who is an alumnus of the OTA, said that he is the reason the Indian Army is what it is today.

“The statue will stand tall to inspire cadets who get trained here to strive hard to achieve more, and it will also stand as a reminder of his great contributions to the Army,” he added.

Major General V D Chowgule, who is the Officiating Commandant of OTA, said, “The statue will be a motivation for cadets and will inspire future officers.”