Kodagu military legacy loses Army Major

Madikeri, Aug 17 (UNI) Major Sunil Thimmaiah Ganapathy, one of the three army personnel killed in the chopper crash in Leh on the Independence Day, belonged to the true tradition of the Kodagu families serving the Indian Armed force.

The Major was the son of Col (Rtd) Charimanda Ganesh Ganapathi of Chembebellur village in the district.

The whole family has a history of serving the Army. Ganapathy's mother was also from a warrior's family. Her mother Bhavani of Napoklu village was the daughter of late Kanganda Major Kangada Muthappa, while Ganapathy's brother-in-law is serving as a Colonel in Delhi Regiment.

Ganapathy left behind his wife Ballachanda Shubha, four-year old son Ahwan and two-year old daughter Gowri.

He was actually transferred to Andhra Pradesh in a recent order but his voyage to save a soldier trapped in an avalanche, however, turned fatal before he left for the southern state.

The helicopter reportedly crashed after hitting a hill.

The hilly district of Kodagu was known for contributing illustrious persons to the armed forces and this includes Field Martial Kariappa and Gen Thimmaiah.

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