A Legendary Legend - Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, MC

FIELD MARSHAL SAM BAHADUR MANEKSHAW, MC

Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, popularly known as Sam Bahadur ("Sam the Brave"), was the first field-marshal of India, who was conferred the rank in January 1973. Field marshal is a Five Star General Officer rank and the highest attainable rank in the Indian Army.

On this legends 104th birthday, Military-Choice brings you shockingly interesting facts from his military career that spanned four decades and five wars.

Before I start, here is a short story. Please read before you scroll to the main content of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw's inspiring quotes and facts.

A Young officer was on his round when one of the riflemen did not notice him and missed saluting him.

The youngster got cheesed off and summoned the Gorkha and asked him the reason for not saluting him. The Gorkha innocently gave out the reason that he did not see “Lieutenant Huzoor”.

The youngster not convinced, punished the Gorkha to a thousand salutes. The soldier immediately started saluting…

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw who was passing by and asked the youngster as to what was happening. The youngster said, “Sir, this soldier had the audacity of not saluting me. So I have punished him with 1000 salutes.”

Sam replied, “Bloody good punishment young man, but ensure that you return each of his salutes.”

For the next two hours the unit was treated to a scene of a Gorkha saluting and the young officer returning each of his salutes.

FACTS FROM FIELD MARSHAL SAM BAHADUR’S MILITARY LIFE

• Sam Bahadur went on to achieve a number of firsts:

the first graduate to join one of the Gorkha regiments;

first to serve as the Chief of the Army Staff of India; and

first to attain the rank of field marshal.

• In 1942, Manekshaw served as the Captain of the 4/12 Frontier Force Regiment in Burma during World War II against the Japanese Army. He led to his team's victory despite losing 50 per cent of his soldiers and he himself suffering a major injury by a light machine gun fire but kept on encouraging his soldiers to fight.
• On hearing of Sam’s bravery, Major General David Cowan, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the 17th Infantry Division, pinned his own Military Cross ribbon on his chest saying, "A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross"
• He was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the President of India in 1968, and Padma Vibhushan in 1972 for his services in the Indian Army.
• On May 24, 1953, Manekshaw was appointed the Colonel of the Regiment 8 Gorkha Rifles and 61 Cavalry and continued to be the Honorary Colonel of the units till his death.
• Post becoming the Chief of Staff, Manekshaw motivated the Indian forces and devised war strategy that forced Pakistan to surrender in 1971 to give birth to Bangladesh.
• Nepal feted him as an Honorary General of their army in 1972.
• Manekshaw succumbed to pneumonia on June 27, 2008. His last words were "I'm okay!"
• In 2014, a statue of Sam Manekshaw was erected in Wellington, the place where he died, in his honour.

SIR SAM MANEKSHAW'S INSPIRING QUOTATIONS

1. Speaking of Indian Army’s Gurkha regiment - “If anyone tells you he is never afraid, he is a liar or he is a Gurkha.”
2. When Indira Gandhi asked General Manekshaw about the Indian Army’s readiness for the 1971 War - “I’m always ready, sweetie.”
3. Speaking about Politicians - “I  wonder whether those of our political masters who have been put in  charge of the defence of the country can distinguish a mortar from a  motor; a gun from a howitzer; a guerrilla from a gorilla, although a great many resemble the latter.”
4. Hit by 7 bullets in the battlefield, the surgeon at the hospital asked Sam Manekshaw what had happened to him - “I was kicked by a donkey.”
5. To an injured soldier during the 1971 War - “You received three at this age; when I was of your age, I received  nine bullets and look- today, I am the Commander in Chief of the Indian  Army.”
6. During the 1962 War, he sent a box containing bangles & a letter  saying, “If your men do not wish to fight, this is the best medal you  can wear.” This was sent to the CO of a battalion who did not wish to  enter into conflict with the Chinese. However, in the coming weeks the  CO & his battalion proved their grit by battling it out with the Chinese & conducted many successful operations. When Manekshaw  learned this, he sent a letter back to CO saying “Please send back the  box containing bangles, as this is not for you & your men.”
7. When questioned by Indira Gandhi on rumours of a coup by the Army - "You mind your own business, I’ll mind mine. You kiss your own sweetheart, I’ll kiss mine. I don’t interfere politically, as long as nobody interferes with me in the Army."
8. “He who neither drinks, nor smokes, nor dances, he who preaches & even occasionally practice piety, temperance and celibacy, is generally a saint, or a mahatma or more likely a humbug but he certainly won't make a leader or for that matter a good soldier”
9. And lastly, my favourite, When sent to command retreating Indian forces in the 1962 Indo-China War - “Gentlemen, I have arrived and there will be no withdrawal without  written orders and these orders shall never be issued.”

I am sorry, but this one is also my favorite -

10. After helping a young Indian Army Officer, with his luggage, who did not recognise Manekshaw -

Officer: “What do you do here?”

Sam: “I everyday help officers like you with their luggage, But I do in my pass time command this battalion.”

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw's will continue to inspire generations of Indians not only within the armed forces; but even beyond the profession of arms.

Happy Birthday Sir, Jai Hind.