119th birth anniversary of General Thimayya celebrated

Tributes being paid to General K.S. Thimayya, and his deeds were recalled on the occasion of his 119th birth anniversary in Madikeri on Monday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Kodagu district administration celebrated the 119th birth anniversary of General K.S. Thimayya on Monday and paid tributes.

Vinayak Narwade, Assistant Commissioner of Madikeri, inaugurated the event by offering floral tributes to Gen. Thimayya.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Narwade said that the life and ideals of General Thimayya were an inspiration to all. “While the world has seen many leaders, only a few remain in our hearts forever, and Gen. Thimayya was one of them,” he added.

The event was organised in association with the Department of Kannada and Culture, at the General Thimayya Memorial Museum at Sunny Side in Madikeri, which is the birth place of the celebrated general.

Mr. Narwade said that General Thimayya’s life serves as an ideal for everyone and pointed out that love for the armed forces and the country was deeply ingrained in him. Noting the strong patriotic sentiment Kodavas have for the country, Mr. Narwade expressed hope that in the future, more young people from Kodagu would join the armed forces.

Ajjinikanda Mahesh Nachayya, president of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, emphasised the need to educate students about General Thimayya’s struggles and his extraordinary courage and valour displayed during his life in the military.

He urged students to remember the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country. There was none to match the military achievements and courage of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General Thimayya, he added.

Mr. Nachayya said it was important for the present generation to know how Gen. Thimayya overcame challenges.

During the event, A.S. Sreesha, a 9th standard student from the government primary school at Suntikoppa, gave a speech on General Thimayya’s military achievements. Cultural programmes and the rendering of patriotic songs were held to mark the occasion.

Kumar, Assistant Director of the Department of Kannada and Culture, Praveen Kumar, tahsildar of Madikeri, Sanju, a member of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, and others were present.