General Cariappa was in the habit of carrying on his person at all times needle and some thread. At a party at the Indian High Commission in Canberra, while he was the High Commissioner, a lady’s dress got torn when she passed near a rose bush. She felt embarrassed naturally. When the General saw this, he went up to her, apologized for the inconvenience to her and asked her to sit down on the sofa. Then he knelt beside her, took out his needle and thread and quickly repaired the tear in the lady’s dress. The people all around were delighted.
It is reported next day, the newspapers had a story, headlined: ‘ The Days of Chivalry are not Over ’.
Sourced from Major K C Praval’s records. Major Praval was hosted by General Cariappa at his house in Madikeri, from 6th to 12th January, 1979. Sentences have been edited for ease of reading.
