Mysuru: The convocation ceremony for the 72 Staff Course of the Tri-Services Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiris), was held recently.

A total of 421 Officers from the Indian Armed Forces, 40 Officers from friendly foreign countries and five Civilian/ Paramilitary Officers graduated from this institution, on completion of the eleven-month course.

Dr. Krishan Kant Paul, Governor of Uttarakhand, was the chief guest. At the ceremony, Commander Battianda Kaveriappa Ponnappa was awarded the Manekshaw Memorial Medal and the Royal Purple Gorkha Brigade Medal.

The Manekshaw Medal, instituted in memory of Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw, MC, is awarded to the Officer standing first in the Overall Order of Merit in the course in each wing (Army, Navy and Air Force), whereas the Royal Purple Gorkha Brigade Medal is awarded to the Officer who displays the best spirit of true jointmanship in each wing.

Cdr. B.K. Ponnappa was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 2003 and is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla.

He was the only Kodava Officer among 461 Officers in this batch. At present Cdr. B.K. Ponnappa is posted at Naval Head Quarter, New Delhi.

Commander B.K. Ponnappa, son of Major (Retd.) Battianda Kaveriappa and Prema, is married to Nivya Chengappa, daughter of Kattera A. Chengappa and Roopa, residents of Mysuru.