Field Marshal KM Cariappa deserves Bharat Ratna: Army Chief Rawat

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said it's time to recommend Field Marshal KM Cariappa for the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India. Rawat Rawat said, "If others can get it (Bharat Ratna), I see no reason why he (Field Marshal KM Cariappa) shouldn't be deserving personality for same."

Cariappa was the first Indian commander-in-chief (C-in-C) of the Indian Army. He 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. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Indian Army in 1949.

His distinguished military career spanned almost three decades. He was the first Indian military officer to attend the Staff College, Quetta, the first Indian to command a battalion, and was also one of the first two Indians selected to undergo training at the Imperial Defence College, Camberley, UK. He served in various staff capacities at various unit and command headquarters (HQ) and also at the General HQ, New Delhi. Before taking over as the C-in-C of the Indian Army, Cariappa served as the commander of the Indian Army's Eastern and Western Commands.