SAM BAHADUR MANEKSHAW- A RARE GEM, THE REAL BHARAT RATNA

Lt Gen (Retd.)BNBM Prasad, SM, VSM.

Former Director General Hospital Services (Armed Forces) & Physician to late Field 

Marshal Manekshaw

SHFJ Manekshaw was born at Amritsar to parsi parents on 03 April 1914 and by then his doctor father from Mumbai had settled down for a medical practice at Amritsar after a stint in British Army.Young Manekshaw wanted to 

become a Gynecologist but destiny took him to Indian Military Academy at Dehradun.He was King’s Commissioned Officer of British Army. He served as a 

young officer with 12 North West Frontier Force, now with Pakistan. While as a 

Major, he fought Japanese Army during second world war in the Burma Front,risking his own life. He sustained serious bullet injuries over his abdomen but 

he braved both hostile enemy and grievous injuries with consummate ease.For displaying bravery of a very high order, he was awarded Military Cross(MC) by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), a are honour for an Officer of Indian origin. After the partition,he was commissioned with Gorkha regiment

of Indian Army and he became one among them.He maintained comradery till 

the end and Gorkha soldiers were part of his extended family.For Indian Armed Forces, he was the most charismatic, respected and loved officer.He 

was the darling of masses.He never punished any of his subordinates.He was 

a benevolent and compassionate officer, yet a real tiger to the enemy.His few 

words were sufficient to send shivers down the spine of the enemy. During his 4 decades in uniform he was most exemplary and his military deeds have no 

parallel.He was an all-time great- a military legend.The year was 1971 and India was on the receiving end with wounds of China-

India conflict of 1962 still fresh. Adding to the agony was the security and humanitarian crisis resulting from unexpected influx of millions of refugees

from erstwhile East Pakistan to escape from the tyranny of the most barbaric Pakistan Army. Pakistan was under a dictator and had to be taught a lesson for 

her atrocities on the humanity.That was the need of the hour and then PM Mrs. Gandhi wanted an immediate war.The task was uphill for India and the 

prevailing circumstances were not conducive with USA under President Nixon making the matter most difficult for India. General Manekshaw, then Chief of 

Army Staff(COAS) stood firmly against an immediate war.He decided the timing war and when the time was ripe, he gave a lethal blow to enemy.War is not a child’s play but Indian Army under his stewardship made the task to look so simple. Pakistan had the worst defeat of their life time and 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war were captured.The war was over in no time,

notwithstanding hostilities all around India with the mighty 7th fleet of US Navy all set to thwart India’s military move.The victory was the sweetest-

Pakistan got truncated and a new republic namely Bangladesh was carved out from Pakistan.Sam was not a doctor, though he wanted to be one, but he 

conducted the most difficult labor with least blood loss and no harm to the baby.A stupendous feat and the delivery was most perfect.The finest victory of Indian Armed Forces against Pakistan reinforced India’s mighty abilities that were subjugated for centuries by the oppressors.In these days when wars continue for year’s together with no substantial gains 

excepting death and destruction all around, the 1971 Indo-Pakistan conflict bears testimony to the fact that a decisive victory is eminently possible even in 

this era of aerial bombing by a conventional approach but for that happen an 

army of brave men under a valiant Commander is a must.Indian Army has a rich legacy and that is why India is safe despite hostilities all around.

General Manekshaw was fearless till the end and to be so one has to be 

Gorkha as per his own words. Otherwise one has to be liar.He was not a liar but a ‘Sam Bahadur’ in both letter and spirit. He told me once –Doctor luck plays an important role and there is a thin line that separates of getting one self court-martialed or becoming a Field Marshal.During his Indian Military 

Academy(IMA) days, he was outspoken and his British tutor never thought in his wildest dreams that this gentleman cadet one day will be India’s first Field 

Marshall, on the same page like many legendary Field Marshals of the British era.He proved his tutor wrong and of course Sam Bahadur was cut above 

others.Indian Army is always proud that it was led by legends like Field Marshal Manekshaw who showed their mettle at every step in their illustrious career.When he was battling for life at Burma front during second world war, his

Sardar Buddy carried him to safety from the battle field by exclaiming that his commander was the rarest gem and his life had to be saved at any cost.Young Manekshaw, the most precious gem of his paltan survived to become a Field 

Marshal and he led Indian Army to the highest glory in both war and peace.He was a true soldier, the most precious gem of the Nation.He was the real 

Bharat Ratna and Indian Nation owes him a lot. He should have been conferred with the highest honour of the Nation while he was alive. Future generation 

should know that India had a world class Military Leader in Field Marshal Manekshaw. This fact was acknowledged by the Former President of India Dr.Abdul Kalam, his ardent admirer. The best tribute on his birth anniversary is to 

bestow upon legendary Sam Bahadur the “Bharat Ratna” posthumously. This military icon is no more with us but his deeds are green forever. My big salute to the legend and many happy returns of the day.