Subedar Major Monnanda Kalappa

Subedar Major Monnanda Kalappa served in the Indian Army (Regiment of Artillery) from for 30 years (1952-1983) and is a double war veteran having fought in Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971.

Author of the page

Monnanda Nithan Thimmaiah 

About

Kalappa (known as Mittu among family and friends) was born in 1936 in Kukloor village near Virajpet in South Kodagu. Mittu grew up in Kukloor in then typical joint Kodava family with his brother Muddappa, sister Lilly (later married to Chottemanda Poovaiah) and a bunch of cousins in the Monnanda ainmane. Mittu did his schooling in Virajpet High School and was a talented hockey player from his childhood days.

He joined the Indian Army in 1952 and trained in Deolali, Maharastra under artillery signals. He fought in two wars; 1965 Indo-Pak war as part of the Coorg Regiment and then again in 1971 on the eastern front. He retired from services in 1983 after more than 30 years of meritorious service.

After retirement Mittu settled down in Mysore and led a peaceful retired life till he passed away on December 29, 1989. A hugely popular man among family and friends and a very warm and friendly personality, he left a large number of family members and friends at a relatively young age of 53.

Born

1936

Death

December 29, 1989

Family

Father

Monnanda K Madappa

Mother

Monnanda Somavva Madappa (thamane Kottiyanda)

Spouse

Aramanamada Parvathi Kariappa

Children

Pavan Kalappa

Suman Kalappa

Career accomplishments

• Joined the Indian Army in 1952 and trained in Deolali under artillery signals.
• His posting was extended by a year on an exceptional basis as he excelled in Hockey and brought laurels to his regiment.
• Posted in Ferozepur, Punjab in 1958
• Part of 37 Coorg Anti-Tank Regiment
• Posted in Durgamullah and Kargil in 1960 and 1961 respectively and was instrumental in his regiment winning the Hockey Championship in Indian Army
• Served in Indo-Pak war of 1965 under 37, Coorg Regiment after which he was posted in Kargil in 44 Heavy Motor Regiment
• Served in Binnaguri, Bhutan border in 1966
• Served in the 1971 Indo-Pak war on the Eastern Front
• Served in various north-eastern states during the period 1971-1979
• Final posting in 4^th Field Regiment in Secunderabad Post and retired in 1983

Awards:

• 9 years’ Seva Medal
• 20 years’ Seva Medal
• Sangram Medal
• 25^th Independence Anniversary Medal
• Poorvi State Medal
• Paschim State Medal
• Samar Seva Medals of 1965 and 1971