Mysore/Mysuru: After years of wait, a life-size statue of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa was installed this morning at the circle officially named after him (Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle) at the junction of JLB road and Vinoba Road (Hunsur road), which was earlier known as ‘Metropole Circle’.

Chamaraja MLA L. Nagendra inaugurated the statue at the spot where a bust previously existed, in the presence of various Kodava organisations and community leaders, by offering floral tributes to Field Marshal K.M.Cariappa.

Speaking on the occasion, Nagendra said that the Government will come up with year long programmes in memory of the late Field Marshal, who won  many a battle for the country and was the first and only Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Defence Forces. Maintaining that he was happy at the installation of the statue, which is an honour for the great Commander, the MLA lauded the efforts of Kodava organisations and fans in the making of the statue. The statue of the Field Marshal will be illuminated throughout the year, he added.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club President K.D. Muthappa said that they have planned to celebrate the late Field Marshal’s birth anniversary, which falls on Jan. 28 next year, in a grand manner. Stating  that the District Minister, MP and other top political leaders will be invited for the event, Muthappa said that a bust of the Field Marshal was installed at the spot first in 2005. But as the bust got damaged due to the vagaries of nature, it was replaced by another one in 2013 and now finally, the bronze statue has been installed in honour of the legendary warrior, he pointed out adding that the statue cost a total of Rs.11 lakh, which was entirely  funded by Mysuru Kodava Samaja, K.M. Cariappa Abhimanigala Balaga and Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, philanthropists and several other donors, with no Government grants.

Former Mayor M.J. Ravikumar, who was instrumental in the installation of the statue, was present on the occasion along with Corporator M.U. Subbaiah, Mysuru Kodava Samaja President K.M. Belliappa, Hon.Secretary M.M. Ponnappa, Treasurer M.B. Jeevan, K.M. Cariappa Abhimanigala Balaga President N.M. Thimmaiah, Kodava Samaja Cultural & Sports Club Secretary Prakash, Advocate J.M. Aiyanna and K.D. Kariappa.

The statue is 8’6” in height and weighs about 500 kg. The statue was designed by late CAVA Dean Deshpande and his wife Pramodini Deshpande.

The statue  made of bronze stands on a 5 feet high pedestal, measuring 4’x4’. While the statue cost Rs. 8 lakh, the pedestal and installation cost Rs. 3 lakh.