A Big Salute to Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw

[brihacharan]

> Quite believable of Sam. But would todays CHIEFS stand up for their Offrs & Men??????? - I doubt it.

> On a rather warm day the Defence Secretary, Harish Sarin, a very powerful civil servant, upon entering the Ministry’s conference room said to a Colonel sitting close to a window, “You there, open that window!”>
> Before the Colonel could get up came a sharp “Sit down” came from Manekshaw, who had also just entered from another door.
> Turning to the Secretary, he said, “Mr. Secretary, don’t you ever address one of my officers in that tone of voice. You may say, “Sam, would you please open that window, and I will open the window for you. That officer is a Colonel, and not ‘You there’.”
> Harish Sarin mumbled something to the effect that he didn’t mean it that way, to which Sam replied,
> ”I don’t care how you meant it. I heard it & didn’t like it.

Briha

[goodboy_mentor]

Bold and straightforward officers like Manekshaw were never really liked by the bureaucratic and political establishment, as they create a constant fear of coup in their minds. For this very reason, they have ensured officers of pliable and yes man type of character are preferred for promotions by the establishment.

[xl_target]

Sam Manekshaw was the right man in the right place at the right time for his country. A great leader and a honorable man. For some reason, the generals who served during Indira Gandhi's time were men of very high caliber. Many of them started out as subalterns in the British Indian Army.

Yes men notwithstanding, fortunately, there are still plenty of officers of his caliber in the Indian Armed Forces. The secret to the Indian Armed Forces lack of coup aspirations is the officer selection process which is able to pick a high percentage of men of honor. This is not to detract anything from the Jawans who have proved, time and again, to have the best qualities that one would want in soldiers, sailors and airmen..

In times gone by, many Army Officers considered politics beneath them and in an effort to appear apolitical, many Army Officers did not vote. I make no comment on that practice.

[nagarifle]

http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php ... haw#p46386

see the above

[timmy]

Wow, Incredible story, Naga. I saw Sam Manekshaw on a documentary many years ago and, having never heard of him before, was very impressed with him. I wondered, "who is this man"? as his qualities shown through the dry tone of the show and interview quite clearly.

Learning about him in subsequent years has not dimmed that first impression, but only added to it. Truly, the nation that has such a man in a position of responsibility is very fortunate, indeed!

[nagarifle]

you are right Timmy, uncle sam, was an inspiration of the old school, i have not heard of any bad reports of him.
unlike the rest of the crew.

in India we have many heroes, if one ask a kid who is his hero the response will by typical one of a sports person or a movie star.

who have not done or leaked a pint of sweat or blood for any one. no heros at all.

uncle sam? my hero, some one to look up to.