Letters to the Editor: Bharat Ratna for General Cariappa

Rewinding the history pages, India got its first Indian Army Commander-in-Chief on 15th January 1949 in the form of Field Marshal KM Cariappa. Army Day is celebrated on this day to celebrate this proud and memorable occasion. Like the other important days, this day should be celebrated proudly but unfortunately, this day is not highlighted enough to reach the younger generation. Field Marshal Cariappa took over the reins from General Roy Butcher, who according to declassified British records was not loyal to India. General Roy advised the Indian cabinet against sending its troops to liberate Hyderabad. At that instance Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel asked General Butcher to resign and made KM Cariappa Commander-in- Chief of Indian Army. General Cariappa Indianized the army in subsequent methods.

Kodandera "kipper' Madappa Cariappa was born in Madikeri, Karnataka and completed his education in Presidency College, Madras now Chennai and joined the British Army, where he served British in both first and second world war. His important achievements include Operation Kipper in Kashmir and smooth division of British Indian army into Indian and Pakistani constituents during the process of India's partition. After four years of service as Commander-in-Chief, General Cariappa retired on 14th January 1953. Every year 14th January is celebrated as Veterans Day. Later on, he was decorated with Field Marshal for his distinguished service.

General Cariappa exhibited some of his finest strategic planning during the Kashmir Operations in 1948 Indo-Pak war. Operation Kipper which he launched managed to successfully capture Naushera and Jhangar. It was followed by Operation Easy for the link up with Poonch and Operation Bison for capture of Zojila, Drass and Kargil. If he had been provided with additional troops and necessary permission, he would have succeeded in pushing the Pakistanis and their supporters out of Kashmir. The plans were already in place for him but he did not get the requisite permission from the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru. PM Nehru took the Kashmir issue to UN without consulting the armed forces. Nehru did so in order to become an international figure in matters of peace but over the years our nation had to bled in gallons for that selfish mistake of Nehru. That incident sparked off difficult relationship between Nehru and General Cariappa. He had also warned Nehru not to trust Chinese but his advise was ignored and India paid heavy price in 1962 war. The animosity between the two personalities explains why General Cariappa did not get the Bharat Ratna under successive Congress government but Pandit Nehru didn't shy away from conferring himself with Bharat Ratna. Alas! General Cariappa is another forgotten hero.

I through your esteemed daily demand Bharat Ratna for General KM Cariappa.

Julie Bhuyan,

Gaurisagar.

ECE's good gesture and Initiative

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has shown a good gesture by accepting the demand of all political parties to defer the date of the election to February 14 as the Guru Ravidas Jayanti falls on February 16 when lakhs of devotees visit Varanasi to pay obeisance on Magha Purnima every year. The government should follow that all COVID protocols are followed properly otherwise it can prove a big spreader if COVID. In addition to this gesture, the ECI has taken good initiative also which remained unnoticed and which needs to be highlighted for a voter in general and specifically for voters who are disabled and want to cast vote from the residence. I am a Disability activist and recently nominated Icon for PwD for the assembly elections to be held in February 2022. I share my experience in this matter as under: It is for information for àll that yesterday BLO (Booth Level Officer) visited my residence and asked whether you want to cast your vote at your residence and on my confirmation he filled a performa and got my signature and informed me that two or three days before polling two policemen with two officials will visit my residence and get the voting poll. with videography.

If any PwD wants to cast vote at the residence he/she can contact the BLO which can be found from Google search and will help you in all aspects. This procedure is being adopted first' time and your identification will be done by your BLO and your vote will be blocked so someone other may not cast the vote. The Election Commission is trying its best so that the target of a hundred per cent polling may be achieved and we must cooperate with ECI to strengthen the democracy at the grassroots level.

Yash Pal Ralhan,

Jalandhar 144003