Sam Manekshaw : Hero of 1971 War

A Short story to know your "IRON LADY"

The Gandhis have always been insecure when it comes to power. They never let a face that is both popular and powerful become a threat to their throne. I do not have respect for Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister of India, she was a bit restless with the rumors of a coup planned by the then Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.

Indira Gandhi called him to her chamber and confronted him with the question Are you trying to take over from me? The assurance that Manekshaw gave was hilarious:

"Don’t you think I would be a worthy replacement for you, Madam Prime Minister? You have a long nose. So have I. But I don’t poke my nose into other people’s affairs. You know I have no political ambitions. My job is to command my army and see that it is kept as a first-rate instrument. Your job is to look after the country."

On being asked by Indira Gandhi about the Indian Army’s readiness for the 1971 war, he is reported to have said that “I’m always ready, sweetie.”

He was very vocal as far as his expressions are concerned. Manekshaw is reported to have once said “I wonder whether those of our political masters who have been put in charge of the defense 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.”

1971 was not an act of IRON LADY but an act of Sam Bahadur who had a strong spine. Sam forced her to act and stop cowardliness

Sam won the war but Indira Gandhi gave up everything on the table back to the enemy

Jai Hind
Copied: Dr Grarav Pradhan