I clearly remember the day- 24th June 1999, I was walking towards the business lounge as my early morning flight was delayed to Delhi by abt half an hour, picking up the morning newspaper, I walked across the lounge noticing 2 gentlemen deeply engrossed in discussion. The older person probably in 80s upright, grey swept back hair, dressed impeccably in a blue blazer was being quizzed by a middle aged bald portly man "...and what did you tell Nehru....?" to which the tall old man could be heard replying ".....I told him....and I also told Indira Gandhi that her policies ......" I tried hard to catch their conversation which was out of earshot but could only hear broken sentences.
I tried hard to place this gentleman but couldn't do so. Well this continued for some time and the portly man left as his flt. was announced, a few minutes later it was my turn to leave for the security check when I with my strolley in tow crossed this seated tall gentleman when suddenly my memory struck me and I started moving towards this gentleman who was sipping black tea, I offered my hand to him, who by now seeing me had stood up and dwarfed my 5ft 11 frame as I said "am I speaking with Field Marshal Sam Manikshaw", locking my hand in a vice like grip, staring me with his light piercing eyes, his deep voice resonating "yes son you are" I felt myself go weak in my knees searching for words. He briefly introduced himself as currentl being on the board of directors on several Tata Gro
My Late Uncle, who was in army and got discharged as a Major due to injuries, once showed me a photograph of him shaking hands with Sam Maneckshaw. He told me " see whom I am shaking hands with. Apne chhacha ko kyaa samajh rakhaa hai?". There was so much pride in his voice when he spoke this - one can imagine how SAM must have inspired people. No wonder they caled him a 'Soldeir's General'
Yes I met him when he was General Sam Manekshaw just before the 1971 war broke out.He addressed officers in all formations in the field before the war. I still remember his words.I am an old man now so I will quote as far as I remember. Any gramatical mistake is attributable to me NOT him. Quote " There will be many temptations during the war and you have to ward against them. The enemy when he becomes prisoner of war should be treated with dignity as a soldier." And as the world knows that Pakistani soldiars and men were treated well during his time. There were many more witty remarks which he passed.He was the best communicator with the soldiars under his command. May his soul rest in peace.
RE:Have you met Sam Manekshaw
by Ravin Jadhav on Jun 27, 2008 02:12 PM Permalink
I was also impressed by few visitors who belongs to armed forces. Pls do visit not only rediff.com but also all the patriotic sites. Few are the lucky who met 'Sam Bahadur' in their life. May his soul rest in peace.
How does one remember one, whose middle name was “Courage”? How does one find words to describe a once in a lifetime soul that sets foot in a land that is blessed by the likes of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Abdul Kalam? Sam Manekshaw did not brook any interference from anyone in his field of work, and if the history books are right, he had the courage of conviction to tell Indira Gandhi, that her job was to take the decision to go to war with Pakistan, and to leave the strategizing and implementation to the professionals in charge! I do not know how many feel this way, but a single look at his gentle, yet tough face, tells you a lot about him. Without knowing him personally, we know instinctively he must have been the epitome of virtue in public and personal life, above all forms of controversy – we know how easy it is for an Army Officer to get into the murky world of weapons trade and defence supplies and indulge in all that this business is known for; but it was not for the gentle Field Marshal.
His gentle nature is more than evident from the fact that he loved the green outdoors, and its benevolent gifts to mankind, from the fact that he chose to settle down in the Nligiris.
He is a standard bearer of what every human being and Indian should be – gentle, yet transparently courageous enough to take on the mightiest in the land or outside of it for the good of his country. May Sam Manekshaw be the idol we alway
RE:Farewell, Field Marshal, Fare Thee Well amid the Angels, Saints and Warriors of yore!
by Vijairaghavan PG on Jun 27, 2008 12:13 PM Permalink
....May Sam Manekshaw be the idol we always like to emulate, in the Army and public life! May every child born in India be inspired by this great son of India.
Yes I met him way back in 1971 when I was in school. We knitted mufflers for soldiers fighting the Bangladesh war in 1971. We took these to his house in Delhi and handed the box of mufflers to him. He was a dashing and smart officer!! May God rest his soul.