K.M. Cariappa Jayanti

Observed annually on 28 January.

• M. Cariappa, born on 28 January 1899 in Kodagu, Karnataka, was the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.
• Known for his leadership during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948, where he served as the commander of the Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Cariappa was the first Indian officer to be appointed as the head of the Indian Army, following the transfer of power from British to Indian leadership.
• He retired in 1953 and was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his services.