Play it again Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

It was the magical summer of 1985. The narrow gauge, rack and pinion toy train shuddered to a halt at Wellington Railway Station, having brought us 6500 feet up into the Blue Mountains from dusty and hot Mettupalaiyam, where we had boarded the train. My wife and I disembarked, dusting the crumbs of an excellent continental lunch provided by the Defence Services Staff College for student officers. We understood why the Nilgiris appeared blue in colour – the tiered, lush hills were simply covered end to end with blue gum trees.
The name Wellington made an immediate connect in my mind. “Old ‘Iron Duke’ Wellington had killed Tipu Sultan in 1799 and later won Waterloo for England from Napoleon in 1815”, I remarked to my wife, as we departed from the station named in his honour and began the climb up the mist laden, winding road to the College. “There’s Sam Bahadur, now resident at Coonoor, who won the 1971 war for us. They should rename the station for him”, I grumbled unreasonably. “He, like Wellington is also a Field Marshal; like him, was wounded in battle”. My wife glanced at me with some asperity. “Don’t be parochial. You can’t change the tide of history,” she said. Chastened, I realized she was right.
Indeed you cannot turn the tide of history. Wellington should remain honoured in the Nilgiris. Similarly, great people will continue to come and go through Indian history, but there’ll be no one else ever to lay claim, other than the exceptional Sam - Indira combine; to creating a brave new nation, capturing 93,000 prisoners of war, returning them back with honour all within the span of a year or so of executing one of the world’s least studied and least applauded strategic level politico - military feats of all time.
Today, as news of the passing away of this great man trickles in, my thoughts wander in time and space on aspects of the Sam we knew, first hand and by reportage…
I recall, how, in the weekend before the Staff Course began in 1985, we undertook a pilgrimage to “Stavka”, the hill side bungalow he had outside Upper Coonoor . There was no dearth of locals on the road who helped us navigate to his home. Parking some distance away, we walked up to the white painted, Spanish looking villa and were inquiring from the Gurkha sentry about his whereabouts, when, suddenly, we were face to face with the great man in his shirt sleeves. He was working on his roses when he saw us, he said, and came down his steeply climbing driveway to meet us. He spoke in comfortable Punjabi and faultless English with my wife and I, advised me to have “serious fun” on the year long Staff College course. He was chivalrous to a fault with his uninvited guests, putting us to ease with his disarming smile and charming us with his wit and repartee.
Kukkie recalled to the Field Marshal how, while still a fresher at school in Sanawar, she had been in the company of his daughter, Maja.. Both girls had lost contact with their peer groups while hiking to catch the school party train from Kalka. Maja, being the senior, had graciously taken Kukkie under her charge and the girls found their way to Kalka chatting about school and about their Dads. Indulgent to a fault, Sam’s philosophy was to spoil his girls, yet never let them get spoilt, is how Maja affectionately recalled him as a Father as the girls feasted on tuck bought by Maja. On Sam’s demise, this is how she recalled her Fathers qualities to the media.
That year at Coonoor gave us a rare insight into what made him so special. On the odd occasion when he came to the Staff College for a social function, he was the cynosure of all eyes. Dapper, alert, witty, observant, gallant and blessed with a rare brand of humour which was devoid of rancour or bitterness, he held centre stage with grace and élan. On the one occasion when he spoke to the students and faculty on professional issues, he made light of his personal contribution and, instead, spoke of the need to think ‘purple’ – the colour arrived at by mixing Olive Green, Blue and Light Blue together. These are the colours of the uniforms of the Army, Navy and Air Force. It was a significant message for waging successful war, a formula tried and tested by him in 1971.
I recall seeing him in our forward concentration area in the J&K sector in October 1971. He was moving all along the Western front, pepping up troops before the oncoming war. He was stressed and obviously tired from constant travel and the huge responsibility of waging successful war at his terms. I remember though, there was nothing unclear in the message he gave to all of us. “Remember,” he exhorted, “when you enter Pakistan , put your hands in your pockets. I will not countenance any misbehaviour, moral or material on your part. Simply do your duty and let me look after the rest”. He exited, waving his trademark swagger stick, leaving us with pulsating hearts and clear direction.
Sam retired in 1973, becoming a Field Marshal before he did so. Life moved on. Post command of a tank regiment, I found myself back in the Staff College in 1993, this time as an Instructor. There were rather more opportunities now, to interact with the Field Marshal than as a student 10 years earlier. There was time too, to see how extraordinarily he had won a place in the hearts and minds of the people of Coonoor. Shopkeepers would feel honoured if the Field Marshal bought any thing from their shops – and he often did, pottering all over Coonoor in his little car. Never once did they offer a bill to him. In any case he did not carry money on his person. Yet, never once was there any question of delayed payment, as the Field Marshals Gurkha major domo in charge of his household unfailingly settled his dues, sent by him the very next day with more the required money. I am sure, in saying his final farewell to him, the common man in Coonoor must have cried the most.
The last I was involved with Sam’s work was when posted in 2001 as a Brigadier, to his old Directorate in Army Headquarters, the elite Military Operations Directorate. Whenever there was a lull in activity, I would steal a moment or two to look up his work on file. His clarity of thought was an education.
A ‘soldiers general’, a regular guy, is how posterity will see Sam. Yet, his obituaries, the extensive media coverage on his death have brought out the distaff side too. There was the problem with small minds in 1962, when he was made the target of a witch hunt in the form of a military inquiry. Then there were claims from some amongst the military fraternity, post the stunning collapse of East Pakistan, that he had not fully thought through the East Pakistan operations to their logical conclusion – the capture of Dhaka . The war fighting on the Western front in 1971 resulted in a military stalemate because it was unimaginatively conducted, some others would say. Some detractors would make an issue out of his flamboyant life style. Some one else, this time from a neighbouring country, questioned his professional integrity without providing substance or logic.
It is good to remember, though, that the final test of how good a soldier is rests with the men he commanded. For them, Sam Bahadur had no peer. He was in a class by himself. He was correct in his military conduct, he was forthright, he communicated marvelously, he planned meticulously, could get a inter Services team to bond, to work, he had the courage of his convictions, could say “No” to the highest in the land. He brought glamour, dignity and self respect back into the Army after the 1962 debacle and honour to it after the 1971 war.
In sum, he was a truly inspirational leader of the kind militaries the world over crave for. He was in the class of Wellington , the Iron Duke, “Hurrying Heinz”, Gen Heinz Guderian, the brilliant German tank general who helped plan and then run over France and Belgium in a lightning campaign in May 1940, Gen “Timmy” Thimayya, who was brilliant till he fell out with his political masters. The list could go on and on…
It is good to remember too, that, be that as it might, the exceptional, planned collapse of East Pakistan against time and against formidable obstacles, the creation of a new nation after a brief war, the public display of chivalry towards 93000 legitimate prisoners and their speedy return after strict application of the Geneva Conventions is a feat of arms that must challenge military analysts the world over for study, analysis and future application if needed. Some would believe that the Air Land battle concept whose application won America and its allies the Gulf War was born out of the East Pakistan template as planned and executed by Manekshaw. Close analysis may prove the truth of this belief.
At a time that the Armed Forces suffer from poor morale, a feeling of not getting their due in cash or in kind, at a time when the revision of the 6th Pay Commission proceedings sits uneasily in the minds of the soldier of the Army, Navy and Air Force who has given his life on trust to the nation, it is good to remember an icon like the late Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
Humphrey Bogart, the suave, dapper, iconic actor in the 1942 World War 2 romantic classic, “ Casablanca ”, is wrongly credited with the memorable dialogue, “Play it again, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By’.” It doesn’t really matter; whether spoken by Bogart or not, the words retain their magic till today…
As a community of soldiers of all hues and colours, serving and retired, we can and must beseech the spirit of Sam Bahadur with the hope, the request: Play it again, Sam. As time goes by, spread your magic, your charisma, all over again. Let today’s soldier rededicate himself to serve his country with pride, honour, selflessness.. Let his country also recognize his worth and treat him with the honour, respect and financial stability he richly deserves. Play it again, Sam!

Maj Gen Raj Mehta (Retd)

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

My homage.
I had the privilege of being on staff course at Wellington (1961-62) where he was the Commandant. His dynamic personality and sense of humour really touched us all.
What touched me in particular was his POSITIVE attitude. He corrected one young officer who said, "I don't think.................," General Manekshaw snapped at once, "It is negative thought. Now turn it around to say. "I think.............."

His other pet phrase at that time was, "Gentlemen, be mentally and physically robust."

Those two sentences of his have remained guidelines in my own life until now.
I pray for peace of his departed soul in heaven.

Rajinder Singh
IC-5837
Wellingborough, UK


Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw was a Great Soldier and a Great Human Being. His legacy will live for ever to inspire the Defence Forces.
We pray to God Almighty to bless the departed soul with eternal peace.

Air Commodore (Retd) T Pannu & family

Old soldiers never die, they just fade away. How true.
Here was an officer who was a role model for most of us.
His tribe no longer exists in present day defence services.
My humble tributes to this great officer and gentleman.

Suman Chandra

For more read: End of an era

Col NV Chalapathy

Dear Friends,

I wish to inform that Col NV Chalapathy (Retd)of Corps of Signals, expired on 18 Jun 2008 around 1900 hrs in a Bangalore hospital. He was cremated in Mysore on 19 Jun 08. He is survived by his wife Mrs Uma, and sons Ashwin and Maj Rohit Chalapathy, Signals, presently BM Inf Bde in J&K. He was a good friend and a great soul. We are saddened by the loss and convey our heartfelt sorrow and condolences to the grieving family members and dear ones.

Lt Col RP Shankar (Retd)

I am sad to inform you about the demise of one of our Veteran Signalers, Col NV Chalapathy. He left for his heavenly abode at around 1900 hrs on on 18 Jun 08. He was under treatment in Bangalore Hospital.
We pray for to All Mighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to all the near ones and dear ones to bear this irreparable loss.

Brig CS Kamboj, VSM (Retd)
Report My Signal Forum

Brig Yogesh Bhardwaj

Dear Members,

I am sad to inform you that Brig Yogesh Bhardwaj of Signals, left for his heavenly abode, at 2200 hrs on 26 Apr 08, at Hyderabad.
Brig Bharadwaj had commanded 57 Mtn Div Sig Regt.
We pray to Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul.
We pray to Almighty to give strength to all his near ones and dear ones to bear this irreparable loss.

Brig CS Kamboj (Retd)


It is indeed with deep sadness that I wish to inform you the sad demise of Brig(Retd) Yogesh Bhardwaj on 26 Apr 08 at about 2200 hrs. He was undergoing treatment for cancer in one of the leading cancer hospital in Hyderabad but he succumbed to it in the end. He is survived by his wife Mrs Meena Bhardwaj, son Capt Akshay and daughter Sulekha. Brig Bhardwaj also popularly known as Birdie, had commanded 57 Mtn Div Sig Regt.
The cremation is being planned on 27 Apr 08.
In deep sorrow,

Ranga Aiyengar

Maj AK Puri

I am sad to inform you that IC-17109 Maj AK Puri, a member of our Group "REPORT MY SIGNAL", left for his heavenly abode on 3 Apr 08.
He had recently undergone angioplasty in Metro Hospital, Noida.

We pray to The Almighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to all near ones and dear ones to bear this irreparable loss.

The 'Uthala' (last prayer ceremony) will be held on Monday, 07 Apr 08, from 4.00 to 5.00 PM, at Arun Vihar Community Centre, Sector 37, Noida.
All Signals officers staying in Noida are requested to inform all their friends and other Signals officers, in their respective sectors, about the last prayer timings.

In sorrow -
Brig CS Kamboj, VSM (Retd)

Tribute to Maj Gen RZ Kabraji, AVSM

Maj Gen(Retd) RZ Kabraji of the Corps of Signals passed away in Pune on 21 Feb 2008 at a ripe age of 90 plus. 'Russi', as his contemporaries called him, was a very popular personality. He led by example and always maintained a happy and highly motivated team . His appointment to various important staff and instructional duties at premier institutions and command of mountain formations, speak of his high standards of professionalism. He had a passion for outdoor activity and excelled in golf and fishing. His undying interest in Amateur radio was sustained for many a year well into the latter years of his life. He was known the world over as VU2BK and General Kab and his CW(Morse) transmissions were referred to as “music to the ears“ by fellow Hams!

He commanded the only Armoured Divisional Signals of his time, held prestigious staff appointments in the General Staff and within the Corps, commanded a mountain brigade and a mountain division and, having done the Staff College in Quetta, before partition of the country, was the Senior Army Directing Staff in Staff College, Wellington. He was the Deputy Commandant and later Commandant of the School of Signals (now re-named Military College of Telecommunications) His last appointment was Chief of Staff of a Command HQ from where he retired in 1970 and settled in Aundh in Pune.

I take the liberty, on behalf of all the veterans of the Corps, specially those who, like me, had the privilege of being associated with him and of paying tribute to the very fine gentleman, officer and sportsman, that General Kabraji was, We mourn his departure from our midst and offer our sympathies and condolences to his son and other near and dear ones of his family.

M S Sodhi
Lt Gen (Retd)
Former SO in C

Obituary- Maj Gen RZ Kabraji, AVSM

Maj Gen (Retd) Rustom Zal Kabraji, AVSM, who passed away on 21 Feb 2008 at a ripe age of over 90 yrs was a most venerable, illustrious and likeable personalities of our Corps. He had an extremely distinguished and enviable career both within and outside the Corps, which hardly anyone else has been able to match. He commanded the prestigious 1 Armd Div Sig Regt, was CSO of Eastern Command and SO 1 at both Eastern and Southern Commands.

He held the appointment of Deputy as well as Commandant MCTE (then the School of Signals) and left his indelible mark. To quote the Editor of the Signalman from the July 1963 issue, “… he guided its (The Signalman) destinies and during this p[eriod it has grown in stature and quality…..as Commandant of the School of Signals he has left his mark in Mhow, particularly in the local populace, both military and civil……Brig and Mrs Kabraji were extremely popular in all circles, social and official.

It was in being selected for appointments outside the Corps that Maj Gen Kabraji did the Corps proud. He was the First officer from the Corps to be selected to command a Brigade (61 Mtn Bde) and was the second officer of the Corps to command a Division (6 Mtn Div). He was also a DS Coord at the Staff College and the only officer of the Corps to be the Chief of Staff of a Command (Southern Command).

While in Eastern Command, he was appointed, along with Lt Gen JS Aurora, by Lt Gen Henderson Brooks to pursue the famous ‘Henderson Brooks Report’.

In the field of sports, hobbies and adventure, the late General was a very enthusiastic golfer and actively promoted the game at Mhow. He was also a keen angler and some of his fishing stories, especially when he was GOC 6 Mtn Div have gone down in history. He was a very active HAM (VU 2 BK) and pusued his hobby right till the end of his life. His excellent CW operating techniques were known the world over and foreign HAMs always comment “General KB…..his CW is like music to our ears!”.

Some of our veterans who served under him fondly referred to General Kabraji as being the ‘Life of our Corps’. In his death the Corps has lost a leading light, a lovable personality and a role model. The General lived a full and active life to the very end and we in the Corps would always revere him for his contribution par excellence to our Corps.

On behalf of all Signallers and particularly those at MCTE, pray to God for the departed soul to rest in peace and wish his near and dear all strength to bear this irreparable loss.

Lt Gen YS Panwar, Commandant, MCTE

PS
Mr Zal Kabraji in conveying the sad news of the death of dear father to me said that the family wanted to convey the news only to MCTE because of the great emotional attachment the late General had with the institution he commanded for three long years.