Who is Appa from Climbing the Stairs and what is their importance?

Appa is Vidya and Kitta's father. Appa is a doctor who has decided to use his medical skills to assist those wounded in the fight for Indian freedom. He is philosophical, dislikes the caste system, and believes in nonviolence and equality. Appa's belief in nonviolence hurts him during a protest movement. He refuses to fight back when attacked by a soldier and is brain damaged as a result.