Madikeri gets new NCC rifle range

Madikeri: A short-range rifle firing range, built by the Old Students' Association of Field Marshal Cariappa College at a cost of Rs 5.5 lakh, was inaugurated on Tuesday by Colonel Rejith Mukundan, Commanding Officer of the 19th Karnataka Battalion NCC, and Kodagu University vice-chancellor Ashok Sangappa Alura.Speaking on the occasion, Colonel Rejith Mukundan said there had been no firing range for NCC cadets in and around Madikeri. He described the new facility as highly valuable for the 19th Karnataka NCC Battalion, urged cadets to make full use of it, and appreciated the Old Students' Association for recognising the need and donating the range adjacent to the college grounds.Ashok Sangappa Alura said the Old Students' Association of Field Marshal Cariappa College had contributed several facilities to the institution and expressed hope that such support would continue. He encouraged NCC students to pursue their goals with focus, noting that NCC helps instil discipline and patriotism, and urged all students to join.Retired police officer Mukkatira A Appaiah shared his NCC training experiences and memories from various camps during his student days. He advised students to set clear future goals and expressed concern that firing ranges that once existed in the district were now being encroached upon.Old Students' Association president Bollajira Aiyappa said many former students of Field Marshal Cariappa College had held high positions, including in the Indian Army. He noted with pride that former student Army officer Puttichanda S Ganapathy had received the Maha Vir Chakra for operations in Sri Lanka. He said the college had produced several distinguished Army officers.