by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

• General K.S. Thimayya's birth centenary

Madikeri, Apr 8: People of the country, the youth in particular, should eschew negative attitude and cultivate the culture of looking at every challenge in life as an opportunity, advised President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

India was recording tremendous progress in all sectors and in that backdrop, she should get her due place in the world, he added.

Dr. Kalam was speaking as the chief guest at the birth centenary of Gen. K.S. Thimayya here yesterday at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College grounds.

The President earned solemn appreciation from the crowd as he began his address in Kannada, greeting the gathering with these words: Kodagina Mahaajanathege nanna namaskaaragalu.

"People of our country must eschew negative attitude. As a result of loss of courage and suffering from inferiority complex, India is not getting its due place in the world," he bemoaned.

It was high time that the people of India got out of their present mindset and marched ahead with self-confidence and courage, he added.

It was important to spread the message of sacrifice and martyrdom of India's great leaders in order to instil courage and confidence among the people of the country at large, Dr. Kalam observed.

Everybody should accept that the level of intelligence of the people of India was of the highest order, the President opined.

Showering praise on the late Gen. K.S. Thimayya for his heroic deeds as a soldier, Dr. Kalam observed that Leh and Ladakh were still within India's boundary largely due to the lead given by Gen. Thimayya.

Gen. Thimayya emerged as an exemplary leader of soldiers known for his adroitness because of his unshakeable faith in both officers and jawans, Dr. Kalam remarked.

Unparallelled leadership qualities and never-diminishing enthusiasm were Gen. Thimayya's hallmark. The General was a personification of human values as narrated by his daughter Mireille Chengappa, President Dr. Kalam disclosed.

He called upon the people to follow Gen. Thimayya's ideals.

The enchanting ambience of Kodagu, its charming people as well as their warrior-like nature had great attraction for him, Dr. Kalam admitted, showering praises on all aspects of Kodagu.

Governor T.N. Chaturvedi, who released the souvenir Epitome of Courage, recalled and lauded the battle skills of Gen. Thimayya.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi, Gen. Thimayya's daughter Mireille Chengappa and others were present.

Maj. Gen. C.N. Somanna (Retired) introduced the senior retired army officers present at the venue to the President.

B.A. Nanaiah, President of the Federation of Kodava Samajas welcomed.

M.M. Suresh, President, Kodava Samaja, Madikeri, proposed a vote of thanks.

Personnel of the Armed Forces presented special displays on the occasion, in addition to a variety of cultural events.