I know some time back I said that this page is just gonna be my personal blog and other stuff (read my take on current affairs etc) would be posted on another blog, but this is personal.
As most of you must have heard by now Field Marshal Sam J. Manekshaw is no more in this world. At 94 years of age, this isnt really shocking but what does surprise me is how can someone so energetic, so enthusiastic or so full of verve ever lie still as he is today. If you have ever listened to any of his interviews or speeches you would know what I am talking about.
Even though every news channel would be alive with these reports today but let me tell you some instances which define Sam Maneckshaw for me.
I can never forget a speech he delivered at the passing out parade of the IMA a few years back. He was in his late eighties back then, and the way he delivered his address, it was simply out of this world. He told those officers Don’t ever loose a war because when you come back home after loosing a war even your wife wouldn’t respect you.
He had a lot of respect and admiration for the bravery of Gorkha soldiers as immortalised in this quote of his
"If a man ever tells you that he is not afraid of dying, then either he is lying or he is a Gurkha."
Another incident which Sam Bahadur loved to recall was how Yahya Khan the dictator of Pakistan had cheated him. It so happened that Yahya Khan bought Sam's motorcycle two days before independence for Rs. 1000 and promised to send the money from Pakistan later, which he never did. Sam Bahadur loved to joke that he took Bangladesh away from Pakistan in return of that money.
He was conferred the title of Field Marshal in return for his services to the army and the nation. Today India has lost a jewel in its crown, one of its bravest sons.
Rest in Peace, Sam Bahadur.
