“Forget not the soldiers’ past, for in their sacrifice our today was cast.”
In June 2025, I came across my late father’s medals, neatly kept but untouched for many years. My father, Hony Nb Sub Pudiyathanda M Aiappa, Corps of Signals, served in the Indian Army from 1958 to 1982. Among his medals were the Samar Seva Star (1965) and the Poorvi Star (1971).
Holding them, I realized that almost sixty years had passed since the 1965 war that began with Pakistan’s Operation Gibraltar and Operation Grand Slam. For my father, that war was not history but lived experience.
He was just 28 then, freshly back from a UN peacekeeping mission in Congo, where he had already seen violence and unrest. Soon after, he was on India’s western border, part of Operation Riddle, launched on September 6, 1965.
I grew up hearing bits of his stories. One I still remember is how his troop narrowly escaped a well-laid ambush. He never spoke of fear, only of duty and fallen associates. He did mention about missing the 1962 Indo-China war because of his Congo posting, “maybe a soldier’s quiet regret”.
Another name came to mind, Chottepanda K. Devayya, who served in the Artillery from 1958 to 1977, and also took part in Operation Riddle. Curious, I asked my cousin about him. To my surprise, Devayya, now 92, has been quietly managing Kaveri Ashram in Mysore since 1987.
Here was another soldier, still serving. Not in uniform, but in community life.
Kaveri Ashrama – From Olive Green to White
On my way to Coorg, I decided to visit Amanna Uncle (Devayya) and his wife Sitamma (Thamane – Nambudamada) at the ashram.
The first Monday we went, he was fast asleep after lunch. We did not wake him. A week later, we returned earlier. This time, he greeted us warmly with his wife.
When we asked about his Army days, his face lit up. From an old soap box, he carefully brought out his medals. Among them were Samar Seva Star (1965) and Raksha Medal (1965) – awarded for participating in Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Paschimi Star (1971) and Sangram Medal (1971), awarded for participating in Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
His career was impressive. He fought in both 1965 and 1971 wars, served two terms in NEFA (North-East Frontier Agency), and later returned to Coorg. Then, in 1987, he was invited to take charge of Kaveri Ashram, where he and his wife have since devoted their lives to social and spiritual service.
Amanna Uncle’s journey, from soldier in olive green to a life in white – shows a rare path, duty, and service.
Nearly sixty years later, as the nation recalls the battles of 1965, the memories of these soldiers continue to inspire. They remind us that freedom and security were safeguarded by ordinary men from small towns and villages like in Coorg, whose service still echoes across generations.
This is the great historical way of journey of my beloved father in law Late Mr, Pudiyathanda Aiyappa
He himself shared about the war fields tragedies as above mentioned Indo China war, how the day he spent and how he servaived. The story was so horrified, the way he expresse and explained.
I salute as a Kodava also as a Indian
My heart full of gratitude with my father in law’s service as a Indian Hindustan Army man.
It’s a great gift of our nation.🙏😌
Jai Hind.
I remember the adventures that Appu uncle (we fondly called him by that name) used to narrate about his Congo duty, and especially about how his Corps of Signals unit used to play a key role being in the forefront alongwith his fellow soldiers and risks they used to take with bravery. For us, it was story time in our younger days, which instilled patriotism. To think of those experiences gives goosebumps even now. Lest we forget, victory and freedom is enjoyed today by us, thanks to such and many more heroes!
Respect! 🫡
Both are my uncle’s both from maternal & paternal side what a personalities want to hear more of such HEROES from KODAGU.
The 1965 war is not just History for me – it is my father’s story etched forever in my heart.
As a daughter of an Army Veteran who stood tall in those uncertain times, mention of that war feels like a silent echo of his courage, his sacrifice and his unwavering devotion to the motherland. Even today when I look back, I can almost feel the pride in his voice when he spoke of those days.
To my father and to every soldier, who fought in 1965, I bow with folded hands. You were more than Heroes in uniform, you were guardians of our tomorrow. As a daughter, i carry your memory with reverence, pride and endless gratitude.