Page 26 - Leadership in the Indian Army

Battalion of the 7th Rajput Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Own Light
Infantry), or 1/7 Rajput (2 QVOLI) as it was generally called, which
became his parent unit. The battalion had just moved to Waziristan and was

engaged in duties similar to those of his erstwhile unit. Life on the frontier
was monotonous but not free of danger. The tribesmen were quick to
exploit the slightest sign of laxity in vigil, and the frequent skirmishes often
resulted in casualties. The North West Frontier (NWF) was the best training
ground for young officers, and Cariappa mastered the basics of his
profession during the three years he spent there. He developed an excellent
eye for ground, and learned the importance of good administration, both of

which were to stand him in good stead in later years.
In 1925, Cariappa decided to go on a grand tour. He had saved up enough
money, and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Delhi not only accorded
him permission but also arranged for his stay with British units wherever
possible. Cariappa visited Europe, USA, Japan, China and several other
countries, where he met a large number of soldiers as well as civilians of

different nationalities. He was able to see for himself the reason why some
of them were far ahead of India in many fields. The trip was a highly
educative one for him and he returned a much wiser and better man. He
rejoined his battalion which had now moved to Fatehgarh. Here for the first
time in his career, Cariappa was able to settle down. It was in Fatehgarh that
he acquired his nickname ‘Kipper’. It is said that a British officer’s wife
found his name difficult to pronounce and insisted on calling him Kipper.

As a young officer, Cariappa took his soldiering seriously. A stickler for
rules, he rarely got into trouble. There is an interesting anecdote about
Cariappa and Mussoorie, which was then a popular holiday resort for
British officers. Cariappa had applied for a few days’ leave to visit the hill-
station. When his Commanding Officer (CO) heard about it, he told
Cariappa to go somewhere else. Cariappa was surprised and wanted to

know why. The ‘Old Man’ (euphemism in the army for Commanding
Officer or Commander) told him that Mussoorie was full of disreputable
women, and it was a regimental tradition that bachelors did not visit the
place. Cariappa took his word seriously, and did not go to Mussoorie till
well after he was married and had a son.
In those days, cantonment life in peace stations was staid and leisurely.
Intended to provide a respite from the rigorous activity on the frontier,

sojourns to these stations were short and when posted there officers and