Field Marshal, Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw (popularly known as Sam Bahadur- "Sam, the Brave") was born on this day (April 03) in 1914. His career spanned 40 years and 5 wars- World War II (as a part of British Indian Army), Indo-Pak War of 1947, Sino-Indian War of 1962, Indo-Pak War of 1965 and Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.
He was the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. Shortly before his retirement in 1973, he became the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the five-star rank of Field Marshal.
During World War II, Sam Manekshaw was defending Burma against the Japanese attack, when he got shot by a Japanese soldier which seriously wounded him. He had many facets of his military and retired life.
Sam with Mrs Indira Gandhi
Sam Bahadur used to refer to the then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi as "Sweetie" or "Sweetheart" because of their Parsi connection. (Her husband, Feroze Gandhi was also Parsi like him.)
Another great man was Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen (APJ) Abdul Kalam, an Indian aerospace scientist, and was known as the 'Missile Man of India' for his work in the development of ballistic missile technology. He was also the Chief Project Coordinator during the Pokhran II nuclear tests.
Dr Kalam served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007 and people remember him as the most beloved President. I have written about him earlier.
When Dr. Kalam was The President of India, he visited Coonoor, where he came to know that Field Marshal Sir Sam Manekshaw was in the Military Hospital there. Dr.Kalam wanted to visit Sam. The meeting was not scheduled, but arrangements were made at the bedside of Sam.
Dr Kalam with ailing Sam
Dr Kalam spent sometime talking to Sam and enquiring about his health.
But before leaving Dr Kalam asked Sam,
"Are you comfortable? Is there anything I could do for you? Do you have any grievance? Or any requirement that would make your stay here more comfortable?"
Sam Bahadur nodded his head,
"Yes, Your Excellency, I have one grievance."
A little shocked with concern and anguish, Dr Kalam asked Sam what it was.
Sam replied,
"Sir, my grievance is that I am not able to get up and salute my most respected President of my beloved country."
APJ held Sam's hand to console him, as both were in tears.
But Sam did tell APJ later that he was not paid the pension of the Field Marshal's rank till then for nearly twenty years.
An aghast President went back to Delhi and got his pension paid with arrears within a week and sent the cheque of nearly Rs. 12.5 million through the Defence Secretary to Wellington, Ooty, where Sam was undergoing treatment.
On receiving the cheque, Sam immediately donated it to the Army Relief Fund.
Both the real heroes are missing today, but any country can feel proud to have such heroes as her sons.
--Kaushal Kishore
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