I happened to meet and hear Sam Manekshaw sometime in ’78 in New
Delhi. He was addressing a meeting, I don’t quite remember what it was
about. All that I know was we from the NCC were part of the good
gathering.
I was in my teens. Being a teen then did not mean being a
CEO of some company (wonder even if the word was in vogue). The very
entry of Manekshaw sent a shiver down our spines. We all had heard of
him and his exploits in the war with Pakistan in 71. Being a 11-year-old then, my
contribution was to go around in groups and implore all to switch off
lights to adhere to the blackout when the siren was sounded. Maybe I can add that in my CV now as contribution to war effort.
Anyway, I got to see him and his unmistakable mustache and the twinkle in his eyes. I go to hear first hand of his charming wit. Women’s liberation those days still was confined to a lot of talk in the high. (Delhi even then was still safe for ladies, unlike today)
Political correctness was not much in vogue too then. One particularly good looking women all up in saree and in style smoking away sat in the front row (NO Anbumani Ramdoss wasn’t around then nor the ban smoking laws). Naturally she did not escape the Field Marshal’s eye.
He said pointing cheekily to her he said “women’s liberation does not mean you can out-smoke a man.” Not just driving a car, I would consider a women really liberated if she can change the tyres of her car without any help of anyone.”
Pointing out his nose he said “Great people have great noses, Look at me _ and at Indira Gandhi”
A lot more was said but these two remained etched in my memory. Listening to him I could well understand what people meant when they said he could inspire his men.
A Rare breed of men who will always be remembered.
And just how does the government treat such a soldier
NO top official present at his funeral. No President (who is the commander-in-chief), No Prime Minister nor the Defence Minister.
All just content to mouth prepared speeches without bothering to pay a visit.
Protocol, they say. That too by those who would not think twice about air-dashing anywhere to save their seats or go on a helicopter to visit flood-stricken villages (It is just a Joy ride for them after all).
And if reports are to be believed the Field Marshals are not included in the ‘warrant of precedence, that even delayed the announcement of a State funeral.
But then the man was more than just a Field Marshal!
Truth to tell visit to pay respects to the Filed Marshal would not have given them any brownie points nor votes.
Then why waste time on it for they have other important matters on hand, like saving their government et all.
Be prepared the media-savvy among them would soon use the media to spin some tales about all this. And may even use it to further their political agenda.
In any case what can one expect form the government whose pay commission fells babus are more important than the soldiers.
Maybe it is good in a way No matter how hard they try, these puny politicians would never be able to match Sam Bahadur in stature.
I am sure Manekshaw himself wound have dismissed them off in his inimitable style. After all such men are a rarity.
A tribute, if we can call it such, would be to make sure that we tell about this true officer and a gentleman to our children without fail. For if we leave it to our politicians they will
certainly add a spin to suit their ends.
A tribute to Manekshaw
10 responses to “A tribute to Manekshaw”
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Its like you learn my mind! You seem to understand so much about this, such as you wrote the guide in it or something. I think that you just can do with a few % to pressure the message home a little bit, but instead of that, that is fantastic blog.A fantastic read. I'll definitely be back.
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Siloo used to say Sam was a different kettle of fish. Sam himself disliked protocol and wouldnt have liked to lie in state for the VIP\’s to come. Anyway he got more respect in coonoor and wellington once the five star car was spotted.His popularity rating in the Nilgiris was very high.
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Siloo used to say Sam was a different kettle of fish. Sam himself disliked protocol and wouldnt have liked to lie in state for the VIP’s to come. Anyway he got more respect in coonoor and wellington once the five star car was spotted.His popularity rating in the Nilgiris was very high.
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Hi Venki,It was a indeed great effort. A tribute quite different from the cliched ones that accompany every celebrity death. I used \’great effort\’ deleberately, since you could recollect all those precious little things from your memory and reproduce in the finest possible words. It\’s worth getting published in the dailies, but \’sadly\’ you keep yourself down to earth. I liked the \’dig\’ at Ramadoss, but would have preferred it \”No A Ramadoss, No NO SMOKING\”. I liked it, it had all the ingrediants of a nice tribute. Keep up the god work
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Hi Venki,It was a indeed great effort. A tribute quite different from the cliched ones that accompany every celebrity death. I used \’great effort\’ deleberately, as you could recollect all those precious little things from your memory and reproduce in the finest possible manner. It\’s worth getting published in the dailies, but \’sadly\’ you keep yourself down to earth. I liked the \’dig\’ at Ramadoss, but would have preferred it \”No A Ramadoss, No NO SMOKING\”. It had all the ingrediants of a nice tribute. Keep up the god work
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As you have said, there are more \’important\’ matters for our Prime Minister and President. Our President belongs to the ruling party. I wonder whether she knows who he is! Someone like Kalam would have definitely made it.
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Hi Venki,It was a indeed great effort. A tribute quite different from the cliched ones that accompany every celebrity death. I used ‘great effort’ deleberately, since you could recollect all those precious little things from your memory and reproduce in the finest possible words. It’s worth getting published in the dailies, but ‘sadly’ you keep yourself down to earth. I liked the ‘dig’ at Ramadoss, but would have preferred it “No A Ramadoss, No NO SMOKING”. I liked it, it had all the ingrediants of a nice tribute. Keep up the god work
LikeLike
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Hi Venki,It was a indeed great effort. A tribute quite different from the cliched ones that accompany every celebrity death. I used ‘great effort’ deleberately, as you could recollect all those precious little things from your memory and reproduce in the finest possible manner. It’s worth getting published in the dailies, but ‘sadly’ you keep yourself down to earth. I liked the ‘dig’ at Ramadoss, but would have preferred it “No A Ramadoss, No NO SMOKING”. It had all the ingrediants of a nice tribute. Keep up the god work
LikeLike
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As you have said, there are more ‘important’ matters for our Prime Minister and President. Our President belongs to the ruling party. I wonder whether she knows who he is! Someone like Kalam would have definitely made it.
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