EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
JULY 5
THE late Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw was one of India’s greatest military leaders and touched many lives during his illustrious career, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj, said here on Saturday.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a memorial service organised by the Southern Command, during which several retired and serving Army officers paid glowing tributes to Field Marshal Manekshaw, who passed away on June 27, at the age of 94. “Field Marshal Manekshaw was a peace-loving man who did not expect too much from anybody, be it the government or his colleagues. He was at ease with all his fellow officers, including those much junior to him. In fact, several of those who served under him felt as though they were ‘one to one’ with him,” Thamburaj said. “He lived a full, vigourous life and we can safely say that he got the best possible treatment in his last days,” he added.
Maj Gen S K Singh, Colonel of the 8th Gorkha Rifles, Manekshaw’s former regiment, said the Field Marshal’s last rites were conducted in a manner befitting his stature. “He was the first Colonel of the 8th Gorkha Rifles, a position he held from 1953-73. He was a perpetual optimist and was always positive, even if his health did not allow him to be.” Drawing attention to the Field Marshal’s distinguished military career, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) and former Chief of Air Staff, H Moolgavkar, said Sam Manekshaw earned the trust of all those who associated with him, including that of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “Field Marshal Manekshaw was a great personality who crafted one of India’s greatest military victories in the war against Pakistan in 1971,” Moolgavkar said.
Reiterating this viewpoint, Lt Gen H M Khanna, (Retd), former Colonel, 8th Gorkha Rifles, and former Army Commander, Northern and Southern Commands, said Field Marshal Manekshaw carved a niche for himself in the history of the sub-continent following the ‘total victory’ in the ’71 war, which resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh. “Though always firm and tactful, Sam ‘Bahadur’ Manekshaw was a charming, loyal, magnanimous man who held no malice against anybody, including his critics,” Khanna said.
JULY 5
THE late Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw was one of India’s greatest military leaders and touched many lives during his illustrious career, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj, said here on Saturday.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a memorial service organised by the Southern Command, during which several retired and serving Army officers paid glowing tributes to Field Marshal Manekshaw, who passed away on June 27, at the age of 94. “Field Marshal Manekshaw was a peace-loving man who did not expect too much from anybody, be it the government or his colleagues. He was at ease with all his fellow officers, including those much junior to him. In fact, several of those who served under him felt as though they were ‘one to one’ with him,” Thamburaj said. “He lived a full, vigourous life and we can safely say that he got the best possible treatment in his last days,” he added.
Maj Gen S K Singh, Colonel of the 8th Gorkha Rifles, Manekshaw’s former regiment, said the Field Marshal’s last rites were conducted in a manner befitting his stature. “He was the first Colonel of the 8th Gorkha Rifles, a position he held from 1953-73. He was a perpetual optimist and was always positive, even if his health did not allow him to be.” Drawing attention to the Field Marshal’s distinguished military career, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) and former Chief of Air Staff, H Moolgavkar, said Sam Manekshaw earned the trust of all those who associated with him, including that of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “Field Marshal Manekshaw was a great personality who crafted one of India’s greatest military victories in the war against Pakistan in 1971,” Moolgavkar said.
Reiterating this viewpoint, Lt Gen H M Khanna, (Retd), former Colonel, 8th Gorkha Rifles, and former Army Commander, Northern and Southern Commands, said Field Marshal Manekshaw carved a niche for himself in the history of the sub-continent following the ‘total victory’ in the ’71 war, which resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh. “Though always firm and tactful, Sam ‘Bahadur’ Manekshaw was a charming, loyal, magnanimous man who held no malice against anybody, including his critics,” Khanna said.
The audience was treated to audio-visual clips with fascinating anecdotes from the life of Field Marshal Manekshaw. Lt Gen Nanavatty (Retd), former Colonel, 8th Gorkha Rifles, and former Army Commander, Northern Command, pointed out that Field Marshal Manekshaw encouraged and inspired many young officers. “His life has left a message for all of us: Live your professional lives with courage, dignity and forthrightness,” Nanavatty said.
1 comment:
I salute this great son of Mother India.
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