The 98th birth anniversary of Field Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw at the Parsi Zoroastrian cemetery in this hill town on Tuesday brought together defence minister A.K. Antony and army chief, Gen V.K. Singh, for a few minutes though they both refused to hold a press meet.

Gen Singh, who arrived a few minutes before Mr Antony, welcomed the minister and led him to the grave that showcased that they have started working together again after a near-warring stint last week. They jointly placed wreaths at the grave and, after being together for 15 minutes at the venue, left in separate convoys.

To the disappointment of the huge array of mediapersons, both of them declined to hold a press meet.
Nearly four years after he breathed his last at the military hospital at Wellington near here in 2008, the spirit of Manekshaw brought together the defence minister and army chief, as well as a few top brass of the army, to the cemetery where a prayer service by the field marshal’s family and military memorial service by the Madras Regimental Centre (MRC) were held on Tuesday.

‘A life well lived’ — these are the words engraved at the newly-laid gravestone of the late field marshal that amply indicates that this legendary army leader and first field marshal of independent India not only lived a purposeful life but added life to the years when he lived.

Ms Maja Daruwala, younger daughter of the field marshal, recalled the happy days with her father and family and said her father, a family man while he was with them, and full of humour, fun and jokes, had always wanted to see that their family was happy.

Ms Sherry Batliwala, his older daughter, recalled her trip with her father to a battlefield in Jammu and Kashmir and said their family first came to the Nilgiris when Manekshaw was posted as the commandant at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, in 1959.

She said her father chose to settle down in Coonoor after his retirement in 1973 and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere.

Brig (Dr) B.N.B.M. Prasad, commandant at the MRC military hospital, who treated the aged Sam Manekshaw in 2008, said the field marshal was never afraid of death and was contended during the last stages of his life. “I’m ok,” were the last words he told me a few minutes before his death, he added.

Lt Gen Bikram Singh, GOC-in-chief, eastern command, and chief designate, and a host of top military officials participated.

Centre to decide on Bharat Ratna

Defence minister A.K. Antony said only the government at the Centre can decide about conferring the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour of the country, posthumously on Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.

Though the minister refused to entertain questions about the army or politics, and declined to hold a press conference after the 98th birth anniversary celebrations of Sam Manekshaw, he responded to the question regarding the conferment of Bharat Ratna on the field marshal, while he was walking towards his convoy from the venue.

He said, “The Indian people will not forget his heroic leadership and contribution to protect the prestige of our country.

His heroic leadership during the Bangladesh war told us that Field Marshal Manekshaw was a legend. The country and government will not forget it. He will be an inspiration to generations of armed forces and also generations of every patriotic Indian.

“On other things, I’m not the authority to say anything about it. I can only assure that the country and people will always be grateful to him and ever remember his heroic leadership that protected our country’s prestige and sovereignty.

On conferring the Bharat Ratna on Field Marshall Manekshaw, only the Union government can take a decision,” he said.When asked about the controversy related to defence deals, he said, “No other questions.”

When asked to comment on the recent controversies and charges of corruption in army deals, army chief, Gen V.K. Singh, said, “Today is a solemn occasion. We need not speak on other things,” and left the venue.