Sam and Indira

When Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw (a.k.a. Sam Manekshaw or Sam "Bahadur”) died on June 27, 2008, appropriate protocol was not observed. This was, however, rectified on April 3, 2012 when at a special ceremony at the Parsi Cemetery in Ootacamund in the Nilgiris his gravestone was laid next to that of his wife Silloo. The ceremony was attended by the defence minister of India, the chief of army staff and other top brass of the Indian Army. Manek­shaw’s gravestone bears the inscription: "A life well lived.”

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

The man who held command over lakhs of military men was once asked who he feared the most. He admitted that he was afraid of two women — his wife and Indira Gandhi. During the premiership of the latter rumors were afloat that the Army was contemplating taking over the country. When news reached the Prime Minister she immediately summoned Manekshaw to her office. As a disciplined soldier, he dropped what he was doing and went there right away. Manekshaw was barely seated when Gandhi asked in an agitated voice, "Sam, tell me honestly, does the Army intend to take over the country?” An unperturbed Manekshaw replied, "Prime Minister, you continue to run the country and I will continue to run the Army.” Gandhi heaved a sigh of relief and decided then and there that Manekshaw would be rewarded at an opportune time.
India convincingly defeated the Pakistan Army in East Pakistan in 1971, paving the way for the creation of Bangladesh. In 1973, the then defence minister Jagjivan Ram and the bureaucracy vehemently opposed Manek­shaw’s elevation to the rank of Field Marshal, but Gandhi stood like a rock and ensured that he was promoted, implementing her earlier decision to reward him.
Manekshaw is India’s first soldier (and Parsi) to become a Field Marshal.
BHIKHAJI M. ADENWALLA

This letter, dated May 14, 2012, was received by Parsiana on June 5. The writer passed away on June 26, 2012