“The last post”

The obituary of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, ("The last post,” Parsiana, August 21, 2008) caused me disquiet, rattled me emotionally and made me feel disgusted with our puny, petty politicians. Much has been written about the valor, greatness and character of this great man. They certainly don’t make men like Manekshaw any more.

Unfortunately shameless, self-centered, totally corrupt and mean politicians who could not acknowledge Manekshaw in his lifetime disowned and snubbed him on his demise. People from all over the world and the media praised the gallant man and his character. Even Pakistan and Bangladesh were generous and forthright in lavishing praise on him. It was apathy by pygmy Indian politicians to ignore a great human being in his death and boycott his funeral.

But what hurts the most is the response of Parsis. All they did was to hold condolence meetings at a few places. Had Manek­shaw not been a Parsi the city would have been in flames with rioting in protest. While I do not advocate violence I say with all the emphasis at my command that Parsis were found wanting. Had stalwarts like Sir Pherozeshah Mehta or Sir Dhanjeebhoy Bomanjee been around I am confident a Parsi sabha would have been called and the government condemned by passing a resolution in the strongest terms for humiliating and insulting the greatest hero of the country.

BEHRAM AGA

behram_r_aga@yahoo.co.in