Army men recall Sam Manekshaw

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Do we still have the strong communication network between the army chief, the bureaucrats and the political leadership in our country as in the early 1970s when Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw led the Indian armed forces to an unprecedented military victory?

At present, right from the army chief’s date of birth issue to bribe allegation to the leakage of the chief’s letter on army’s preparedness, there seem to have been a breakdown in communication channels in the country.

Retired armed forces men still talk about the days when Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw enjoyed a cordial relationship with the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi while he succeeded in the Bangladesh liberation war in December 1971.

“I still remember that Sam Manekshaw did not rush into war when the government asked him to. He informed Mrs Gandhi about the status of the armed forces, built up the arms and even procured equipments from Russia before going to war,” recollected retired Brigadier Mohan K. Barathan.

“Sam Manekshaw had the freedom to walk into Mrs Gandhi’s office any time he wanted to,” said Mr Mohan adding that even the highly advanced countries like Germany and United States began to follow India’s military prowess after our India’s success against Pakistan in the Bangladesh liberation war.
“Sam Manekshaw symbolized flamboyance, panache, professional competence, unimpeachable personal integrity and above all unquestionable patriotism in the military.

He was able to establish and maintain this through his impeccable communication skills that enabled him to talk to an imperious Indira Gandhi and his favourite Gorkha troops with equal felicity and confidence,” said retired commodore S. Shekhar.

Noting that open and trusted communication channels at the highest echelons are the need of the hour, Mr Shekhar said the nation misses Sam Manekshaw more than anyone else especially in today’s age of complex international situation, technological advances and changes in profile of armed forces.

With the country gearing up to celebrate the 98th birth anniversary of the field marshal on Tuesday, Mr Mohan said, Sam Manekshaw should be posthumously decorated with the highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna for bringing fame to the country through military.