Bellatanda Appiah Ammakka

Bellatanda Appiah Ammakka, an Athletefrom kodagu sored high scales during the 1950s n 60s 

Date of birth: 10^th February 1934

FAMILY:

Father:

Bellatanda Madappa Appiah

Mother:

Chimanda Belliappa Muthmma( Machava)

Spouse:

Major Baljit Singh ‘Zakhmi’

Children:

1. Captain Shuba Ravindranath (Vice President Nursing, Corporate)
2. Satjot Kaur Duggal (Former Principal CBSE School, Rajasthan)
3. Col. Harbaksh Singh Dham (15 Mahar)
4. Maharaj Baksh Singh Dham (Former Associate Professor, Physical Education)
5. Mukat Kaur

 

Siblings:

1. B.A. Madappa
2. B.A. Gangama
3. B.A. Achiah (Participated in National-level Football in Agartala, Tripura)
4. B.A. Machiah (Senior Advocate, Mercara)
5. B.A. Devaki
6. B.A. Yashoda

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Good Shephard Convent (up to 7^th standard)
2. Maharani High School (up to 9^th standard)
3. Government High School, Nanjangud (10^th standard), 1950-51
4. Maharani College (Pre-University), 1951-53
5. Maharaja College (B.A. Honors History), 1953-56
6. Y.M.C.A. College of Physical Education (Diploma), 1956-57

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Her tryst with athletics started from her school days in her primary school, St. Philomena School, Narsimha Mohalla, where she won First prizes in racing events, as she did later in high school and then in college and university. This culminated in her selection at the national level to represent India in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) for track and field events in 1956, but, to her misfortune, she could not go as the dates clashed with her B.A. Honours examinations.

She reigned from 1952 to 1956 in Mysore as a Champion Athlete representing Maharani and Maharaja College in Javelin Throw, shot put, long jump, relay race, broad jump, discus throw, and 50, 80 and 100 metre races, winning First prize for all the above.

She won many trophies in games such as lawn tennis, throw ball, soft ball, badminton and kho kho.

From 1952 to 1956, she won the overall Championship trophy consecutively for winning First prize in javelin throw, shot put, long jump, broad jump, relay race,  80 metre low hurdle race, and Second prize in discus throw, and 50 and 100 metre races at the Inter Collegiate Athletics Championships, organised by The Mysore District Amateur Athletics Association on Republic Day and Independence Day Commemoration.

Apart from that, she won First prize in the 50 metre race, Third prize in discus throw and basketball while representing Maharaja college in 1955 at an athletic event organised by Mysore Dasara Exhibition.

Also, during 1955-56, she won First prize in shot put at the Annual Sports Meet of St. Philomena College.

Her winning spree continued with a First prize in javelin throw with a record of 72’1/2″at M.G. Sreeniwas Rao Memorial Inter Collegiate Athletics, organised by University of Mysore.

She never rested on her laurels after her marriage and birth of five children in Delhi. As Inspector of Schools in Physical Education, she represented Municipal Corporation of Delhi in the First All India Inter Municipal Corporations Control Board Tournaments  in 1977 at the age of 43. She won First prize in Badminton Women’s Team Championship  and Second prize in Badminton Women’s Doubles.

SERVICE TENURE:

• 1957 to 1959: Physical Education Teacher in Navhind School, Delhi
• 1959 to 1960: Physical Education Teacher in Senior Secondary School, Calcutta
• 1968 to 1970: Senior Physical Education Teacher in Springdale Public School, Delhi
• 1970 to 1994: Inspector of Schools (Physical Education), Municipal Corporation of Delhi

After retirement, she not only groomed her 10 grand kids, but keeps herself busy with her daily walk and exercise routine and encourages others to do so.

She looks forward to representing India in the Super Senior category in track and field games.