It has been 16 years since Field Marshal S H F J Manekshaw left the scenic Nilgiri and this world for his rendezvous with the Maker.
The Station Headquarters, Wellington, home to the Defence Services Staff College and the elite Madras Regimental Centre organized a wreath laying ceremony on Thursday morning at the Zoroastrian Cemetery, Ooty, as a mark of respect to Sam Manekshaw, independent India’s first Field Marshal. It was on June 27, 2008, Sam Bahadur, as he was addressed in reverence by officers and soldiers alike, breathed his last at Coonor, where he settled down post- retirement.
The Field Marshal was 94 when he expired after a brief illness. He had built a beautiful house, Stevka, at Coonnor, a place which was dear to his heart. Those who interacted with Sam Manekshaw even once will never forget him thanks to his friendly and charming demeanor. A raconteur par excellence, he was a treasure house of knowledge, anecdotes and history, especially military house.
A World War II veteran, Sam Manekshaw had been honored with Military Cross for his brilliant leadership qualities in Burmah Front. The credit for leading Indian Army to a scintillating win against Pakistan in the 1971 too goes to Manekshaw.
The Pakistani challenge was destroyed and demolished by India under the leadership of General Manekshaw, who was the Chief of Staff of the Indian Army.
The defeat of Pakistan resulted in the birth of a new nation by name Bangladesh . The President of India honored General Manekshaw with Padma Vibhushan and within months he was promoted as Field Marshal. The Field Marshal driving around Coonoor in his vintage Sunbeam Rapier was a regular sight and had made heads turn whenever he sailed through the narrow roads in his favorite car.
Thursday morning saw Army buglers sounding Last Post as Lt Gen Virendra Vats, commandant, Defence Services Staff College and Brigadier Sunil Kumar Yadav, the athletic and handsome station commander, Wellington, laid wreaths as a mark of respect and homage to the greatest army commander India has seen till date. The Parsi community in Nilgiris and friends of the late Field Marshal were in full attendance during the solemn ceremony.“From the metro card, it has been found that the injured boarded the metro train from Greater Kailash at 1.59 PM. At PNB card the name of Jdadipya Chakravat, aged 35 years, was found written having no address,” he added while stating that efforts are being made to identify the injured by his mobile phone and the bank card recovered from his possession. No foul play has been found so far in the matter.
