Monday 18 January - 24 January 2021 Mumbai TheThe Year : 2nd Editor - in - Chief Issue No. : 45 HULAHULHULAHUL TTimesimes Mr. Ravi Singh Initiative by HULAHUL Foundation ARMY DAY: REMEMBERING FIELD MARSHAL KODANDERA M. CARIAPPA “Either I will come back after hosting the tricolour or I will come wrapped in it, but I will Cariappa retired in 1953. After having served the country for over three decades, he had be back for sure.” gained a lot of experience of staff and command work. Hence, until 1956, he served as the Indian high commissioner to New Zealand and Australia. With an intention of welfare towards ex-servicemen, Cariappa in the year 1964 started the Indian Ex-Servicemen's rmy Day is observed on 15 January each year across League (IESL). He was also a major force in the setting up of the Directorate of Resettlement India, commemorating the taking over of Field which later came to be known as Directorate General Resettlement. It was an inter-service AMarshal Kodandera M. Cariappa as the first organization that ran under the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army in the year 1949. The day that took responsibility of resettlement of retired soldiers. He took charge of the re- is celebrated in New Delhi, the national capital of India, in the form organization of armed forces in various countries. He was awarded with the Legion of Merit of military shows and parades. Army Day is observed to salute the in the field of Chief Commander by Harry S. Truman, the then American President. As a sign soldiers who have sacrificed their lives to protect the country and the of appreciation for the commendable service by Cariappa towards the nation, the Indian countrymen. Government honoured him with the rank of Field Marshal on 28 April 1986 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, at a special ceremony. History Army day celebrations in India India got its independence on 15 August 1947, after being ruled by the British for almost 200 years. The country was experiencing communal riots during the time of independence. Army Day celebrations take place all over the The country saw the coming of refugees from Pakistan and migration of Indians towards country, but the main parade which is the Army Day Pakistan as well. Under such crucial circumstances, it became mandatory for the Indian army parade, is held at Cariappa Parade ground in Delhi to take the situation under control as many administrative problems started arising. Indian cantonment. Sena medals and Gallantry awards are army aimed at ensuring peace during partition. During the time of independence, the British given away on this day. Fifteen soldiers were awarded General Sir Francis Butcher was in charge of the Indian army. Hence, full control was handed with the bravery awards in the year 2020. Every year, over to Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa on 15 January 1949. Since this was a the Ashok Chakra and Param Vir Chakra awardees remarkable event for the Indian Army, the transfer of power from the hands of British to an make their participation in the Army Day parade. Indian citizen has been observed as Army Day in India. Military hardware, a combat display and numerous contingents are part of the parade. This day is observed Short bio of Cariappa mainly to salute the brave fighters who have sacrificed their lives to protect the motherland. Every year, at the celebration of Army Day, the Indian Army Chief takes the salute. India observed its 70th Army Day in the year 2018. The 71st Indian Army Day of the year 2019, Field Marshal Sir Kodandera “Kipper” Madappa Cariappa was the first Indian who saw for the first time a woman officer leading the Army contingent on Army Day parade. Lt. became the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. During the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947, Bhawana Kasturi led the contingent of 144 male officers. Indian Army also organized he led the Indian forces on the western front. In India, only two Indian Army Officers hold the photography, painting, slogan writing and video making competition for the occasion. The Five-star rank of Field Marshal, and he is one among them. The other person holding Five- best entries were featured on social media platforms and were awarded with prize money. On star rank is Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. Field Marshal Cariappa was born on 28 January 15th January 2020, 15 soldiers were given the gallantry awards, while 18 battalions got unit 1898, in Madikeri, Kodagu. After the end of World War I, Cariappa joined the British Indian citations. The military parades included the showcase of infantry combat vehicle BMP-2K, Army. He was temporarily commissioned as the first lieutenant in the 2/88 Carnatic Infantry. locally built Dhanush towed guns, K9 Vajra-T artillery guns, short span bridging system and 1/7 Rajputs became his permanent regiment, after being transferred into multiple regiments. T-90 main battle tanks. His military career spanned for over three decades. The records he has created in his lifetime are commendable. He is regarded as the first Indian military officer to have attended the Staff College in Quetta. He is also the first Indian to command a battalion. He was also one of the Conclusion two first Indians who were selected for training at Imperial Defence College at Camberley. He has served in numerous staff capacities at numerous unit and command headquarters. He Army Day is celebrated in India as a way of saluting the brave hearts for their has also served at the General Headquarter of New Delhi. He served as the commander of the unrelenting service for the country and the countrymen. This day serves as a reminder for the Eastern and Western Command of the Indian Army before taking over as the Commander-in- citizens of the country about the sacrifices of the Army men in the act of safeguarding the Chief rank. public. **** www.hulahulfoundation.org www.twitter.com/hulahulgrp www.facebook.com/hulahulgrp www.youtube.com/hulahulfoundation www.instagram.com/hulahul_foundation https://www.linkedin.com/in/hulahul-foundation-89964b161/ The HULAHUL Times 2 Monday 18 January - 24 January 2021 Mumbai INDIA CELEBRATES FESTIVAL OF HARVEST: LOHRI, PONGAL AND MAKAR SANKRANTI ndia is a vast country celebrating numerous Significance If e s t i v a l s i n d i ff e r e n t seasons. Autumn is generally Makar Sankranti is one of the largely referred to as the 'Season of Harvest'. celebrated festivals of India and Nepal. Autumn falls in the month of January, The main event of this day is the flying of and is marked by the celebration of kites. The festival is wholly dedicated to festivals all over the country. The the Hindu god 'Surya'. People take a holy farmers of the country anticipate dip on this day in rivers, especially Ganga, prosperity in the process of harvest. Godavari, Yamuna, Kaveri and Krishna. This bathing is attributed to the belief that Lohri it would wash away the past sins. Lohri is a popular festival, Pongal celebrated mainly in and around Punjab. This folk festival marks the passing of the winter season. It is a traditional way of welcoming longer days and the journey of sun towards Pongal, also called Thai Pongal, is a harvest festival of Tamil community that lasts for the northern hemisphere. This festival is observed the night before Makar Sankranti, also multiple days. This festival is observed at the start of the 'Thai month' of the Tamil calendar. known as Maghi, and according to the Bikrami calendar, falls on the same date every year. This festival of harvest is dedicated to the Sun god and is observed for four days. The first day It is an ancient mid-winter festival that originated near the Himalayan mountains region. is called 'Bhogi Pongal', the second day as 'Surya Pongal', third day as 'Maatu Pongal' and The onset of the new season with longer days was marked by the lighting of bonfires by forth day as 'Kaanum Pongal'. According to the tamil tradition, this festival marks the end of traditional Hindus. After the bonfire celebrations, Hindus used to visit a sacred water winter. The festival is named by the ceremonious 'Pongal', which means 'to boil or overflow'. body such as a lake or river to bathe. It refers to the traditional dish of rice boiled in milk with jaggery, prepared on this special day. The day begins with the preparation of 'Pongal' and offering the same to the gods and Significance goddesses, which is followed by an offering to cows. The festive celebrations include the decorating of cows and their horns, with ritual bathing and processions. Women make During the ancient times, it was seen as both a winter crop season celebration and a rangolis, generally called 'Kolam' in Tamil, using rice powder. way of remembering the Sun deity. Lohri songs are sung asking the Indian Sun god for heat and also thanking him for his return. Some relate the festival with the folk reverence Significance for fire (Agni). Another folklore exists that relates Lohri to the tale of Dulla Bhatti. Dulla Bhatti was a legend who lived in the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He was seen as a Pongal is one of the major festivals of the Tamil people. The first day, usually termed hero during those times as he rescued Hindu girls from being forcibly taken to be sold in Bhogi Pongal, is the last day of the Tamil month Margazhi. On this day people discard old the slave market.