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SAM MANEKSHAW- A LEGEND
The recent media reports of illness of field marshal SAM manekshaw, MC the most
famous, charismatic, flamboyant and successful soldier the indian army has
produced, caused anxiety to all concerned. the field marshal is well into 90s. We all
hope and pray that the living legend crosses century and continue to be an icon for
all serving and retired soldiers.
It will not be out of place here to highlight some interesting anecdotes and facets of
his personality. Sam was a Lt Col in Military Operations Directorate during partition,
was promoted to the rank of Col at that time and there after promoted as Brigadier in
March 1948. He never commanded a battalion in his career!
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Pupul Jaykar has described an interesting anecdote about the then Prime Minister
Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s interactions with COAS Sam Manekshaw.
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“Indira’s intelligence agencies reported the possibility of the Army staging a
coup. Gossip was rampant in Bombay, Delhi and Calcutta that such a coup was
imminent. General SHFJ Manekshaw, then Commander in Chief of the Indian Army
commented that everywhere he went, he was being asked, “When are you taking
over?” Among those asking the question were some of Indira Gandhi’s ministers.
One afternoon General Manekshaw got a telephone call. It was the Prime Minister on
the line, “Sam, are you busy?” He was a friend and joked with her on the telephone.
She asked him to go over and he did. “I had known her for a long time”, he said, “She
was a supreme actress. I could see that she had assumed a role to meet me. She
was sitting at her kidney – shaped table, with her hand supporting her head. I asked,
“What is the problem, Prime Minister, you look very harassed?” “I have so many
problems,” she replied. “What are your problems?” I asked “Why don’t you cry on my
shoulder and tell me?” She looked straight into my eyes. “You are my problem.” “Oh”
I said, “Now what I have done?” “Are you trying to take over from me?” That shook
Manekshaw for some seconds. Recovering he walked across and faced her. “What
do you think”, he asked. “You can’t,” she said. “Do you think I am so incompetent?”
“No Sam, But you won’t,” She replied. Manekshaw then said : “You know I have no
political ambition. My job is to command my army and see that it is kept as a first rate
instrument. Your job is to look after the country.” “My ministers are saying that a
military coup will take place.” “You appointed ministers. Get rid if them. You must
have trust in me. If not, find someone else. I am not here to be bullied.” “Who bullies
you?” she asked. “No one does, but…”
Former Foreign Secretary J N Dixit recounts another interesting incident.
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One
incident reflects the spirit of quite confidence and humour that characterised the
Indian military high command at the beginning of the conflict. I have mentioned
Mrs.Gandhi going to the Operation Room for a military briefing at midnight on 3
December. I was told by some colleagues who were in attendance that as she
entered the Operation Room, she noticed a bottle of scotch and a couple of bottles
on the table. Fastidious as always, there was a frown on her face and she directed an
enquiring look at General Manekshaw. The story went that General Manekshaw said
to Mrs Gandhi:
