On 26th September 2024, 80 cadets from Class VI, accompanied by 4 staff members and a General Employee, visited the General Thimayya Museum , Madikeri Fort Museum, Abbey Falls, Raja’s Seat in Madikeri . At General Thimayya Museum , Subedar Thimayya warmly welcomed the cadets and gave an informative briefing on the biography of General Thimayya, covering his personal life, military career, honours, and a display of recommendation letters and photographs.
Learning outcome of educational trip : (General Thimayya Museum)
- The cadets saw photographs of General Thimayya with India's first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and First Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru .
- The cadets saw recommendation letters for General Thimayya as Chief of Defence Staff, written by General Bipin Rawat in multiple languages, including English and Hindi.
- The cadets saw artifacts like rifles, guns, and war memorabilia from different periods of General Thimayya’s service.
- The cadets saw various uniforms worn by Indian soldiers, including those worn by General Thimayya.
- The cadets saw models of tanks, military vehicles, and other equipment used by the Indian Army during General Thimayya’s time.
- The cadets learned that General Thimayya’s house was turned into the General Thimayya Museum in February 2021, and it was inaugurated by CDS Bipin Rawat. The museum has 22 rooms, and General Thimayya was the 4th Chief of Army Staff.
- The cadets watched a video in the TV room of the museum showing how army tanks were transported and other war-related footage.
- The cadets learned that General Thimayya served in foreign military missions and saw military flags from those services
- The cadets learned that General Thimayya played a vital role in the world war II , Indo-Pak war(1947-48) specifically in Jammu and Kashmir(Brigadier)war .General Thimayya was appointed as the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian army in 1957.
Madikeri Fort Museum:
- The cadets observed the architecture of the museum, which is 150 years old and built in the Roman Gothic style.
- The cadets saw the statues of Jain Theerthakaras , Hindu Gods and Goddess (12 to 15 th Century AD), local folk statues and stone inscriptions.
- The cadets saw the beautiful bronze idols of Uma Maheswara , Kali and Shiva-Parvathi,
- The cadets seen fine hero-stones of beautiful designs and inscriptions.
Abbey falls:
- The cadets saw a beautiful waterfall surrounded by lush greenery and coffee planatations
- The cadets learned that the Abbey falls in supporting local water resources , contributing agriculture and maintain biodiversity in the region.
Raja’s Seat:
- The cadets saw the sunset over the western Ghats
- The cadets saw the sky transformations into shades of orange , pink and red and seen mesmerising view of the sun dipping below hills.
- The cadets saw the panoramic views of the lush green valleys, rolling hills and distinct mountain ranges.
- The cadets saw the flower garden surrounding Raja’s seat.
Conclusion:
The educational trip to Madikeri provided the cadets, staff, and Generaln employee with a unique opportunity to explore the rich cultural, historical, and natural heritage of the region. Visits to key locations like General Thimayya Museum, Government Museum, Abbey Falls, and Raja’s Seat offered valuable learning experiences, enhancing their understanding of military history, architecture, geography, and environmental conservation.
