Army Chief Gen Rawat advocates Bharat Ratna for Field Marshal Cariappa

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said that it is high time that Field Marshal General K M Cariappa, independent India's first army chief be conferred Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour. 

"The time has also come to recommend Field Marshal Cariappa for the award of Bharat Ratna. If others can get it, I see no reason why he should not, a deserving personality for the same. We will shortly address the issue on priority," he said.

Field Marshal Kodandera "Kipper" Madappa Cariappa, was born on January 28, 1899. He was the first Indian commander-in-chief (C-in-C) of the Indian Army and led Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. 

He is one of only two Indian Army officers to hold the five-star rank of Field Marshal, the other being Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.

Cariappa was appointed Commander-In-Chief of the Indian Army in 1949.

He passed away on May 15, 1993 at the age of 94.

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