Sir,

This refers to the article titled ‘Son of Kodagu leaves his footprint on snow clad mountains’ published in two parts in SOM dated May 5 and 6, 2017 about K.B. Appachu.

I had written in this column under the title ‘Vanishing Kodavas: Some facts’ (SOM dated Oct. 4, 2015), that Kodavas are well-educated, disciplined and civilised people capable of acquitting themselves well in their chosen fields, particularly excelling in armed forces and sports.

From the photo published in the article, I could immediately recollect his face-cut and past history. I had seen K.B. Appachu as a boy, being my neighbour at Virajpet during my high school days. His father Kalyatanda Belliappa was a teacher for manual training (Carpentry) in Government Model School. He was also a noted Scout-Master.

K.B. Appachu had a younger brother whom they used to call Shambu and an elder sister Polly, who was my classmate. Glad to know about him and his rise in life after several decades.

– V.R. Srinivasa Murthy, Brindavan Extension, 26.5.2017