A hero ignored

What do I answer my golfing partners when they ask why a Parsi Chief of Air Staff, with all the assets of the Indian Air Force at his command, could not attend Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw’s funeral? It would have been a round trip he could have done in less than eight hours.

It’s a good thing these guys do not know that the same individual has all the time to visit Parsi anjumans and associations to collect accolades and mementos!

At times like these I cringe at the thought of being a Parsi. Wouldn’t you?

Cdr T. R. MOGUL

Bangalore

tehmasp.mogul@gmail.com

Air Chief Marshal F. H. Major replies

There has been a lot of speculation in the media and outside regarding the reasons for delaying the announcement of a state funeral for our respected Sam. I do not intend to add to the speculation nor do I feel that it would be appropriate at this stage to indulge in any blame game.

Suffice it to say that the events related to the funeral have by and large been conducted within the bounds of admissible policy. But, notwithstanding the policy guidelines on the issue of state/military funerals, I admit that we in the services could have done a better job of honoring the hero. And it would definitely have been done had the Chief of Army Staff not been out of the country at that crucial juncture and had there been some more reaction time. Unfortunately, the news of the sad demise came in only in the morning and the funeral was initially planned at 1100 hours. This was later delayed to 1500 hours.

While we cannot turn the clock back, let me assure you that it will be our endeavor to ensure that the memory of the Field Marshal lives on. In fact, he was one of those rare individuals who achieved legendary status in their lifetime. The legacy he leaves behind will forever live on in the hearts of committed citizens of this country.

Zareen and I were fortunate to have met him a few weeks before his sad demise. Despite his medical problems, he was as sharp and as witty as ever with the indomitable spirit of a true soldier. We will certainly cherish those moments with him forever.

The editors reply

By attending anjuman and associations’ functions, Major is honoring them. That a man of his stature does not turn his nose up at being honored by his co-religionists, however small their anjuman may be, is a tribute to Major as much as it is to the association.