Manekshaw: Remembering Sam Manekshaw on his 109th birth anniversary: Field Marshal who created Bangladesh | India News
Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, also known as Sam Manekshaw, was a distinguished military officer and the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. He was born on April 3, 1914, in Amritsar, British India, and passed away on June 27, 2008, in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, India.
Manekshaw joined the British Indian Army in 1932 and served with distinction during World War II and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He played a crucial role in India’s victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Manekshaw was also known for his wit and humor, as well as his strong leadership skills.
In addition to his military career, Manekshaw was awarded several honors, including the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, and the Order of the British Empire. He is remembered as one of India’s greatest military leaders and is often referred to as “Sam Bahadur,” which means “Sam the Brave” in Hindi.
Role in creation of Bangladesh
Manekshaw played a crucial role in India’s victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. As the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army at the time, he led the Indian military operation against Pakistan.
Manekshaw’s strategic planning and leadership skills played a crucial role in India’s victory. He ensured that the Indian Army was well-prepared and equipped for the conflict, and he also developed a clever strategy that involved multiple fronts and surprise attacks. This strategy enabled the Indian Army to quickly gain control of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and secure victory.
Manekshaw’s leadership during the 1971 war was widely appreciated, and he was hailed as a national hero for his role in the creation of Bangladesh. His contributions to the war effort and his exceptional leadership skills continue to inspire generations of Indians, particularly those in the armed forces.
Lesser-known facts
Here are some lesser-known facts about Sam Manekshaw:
Manekshaw joined the British Indian Army in 1932 and served with distinction during World War II and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He played a crucial role in India’s victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Manekshaw was also known for his wit and humor, as well as his strong leadership skills.
In addition to his military career, Manekshaw was awarded several honors, including the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, and the Order of the British Empire. He is remembered as one of India’s greatest military leaders and is often referred to as “Sam Bahadur,” which means “Sam the Brave” in Hindi.
Role in creation of Bangladesh
Manekshaw played a crucial role in India’s victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. As the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army at the time, he led the Indian military operation against Pakistan.
Manekshaw’s strategic planning and leadership skills played a crucial role in India’s victory. He ensured that the Indian Army was well-prepared and equipped for the conflict, and he also developed a clever strategy that involved multiple fronts and surprise attacks. This strategy enabled the Indian Army to quickly gain control of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and secure victory.
Manekshaw’s leadership during the 1971 war was widely appreciated, and he was hailed as a national hero for his role in the creation of Bangladesh. His contributions to the war effort and his exceptional leadership skills continue to inspire generations of Indians, particularly those in the armed forces.
Lesser-known facts
Here are some lesser-known facts about Sam Manekshaw:
- Sam Manekshaw was a brilliant student and a sportsman in his younger days. He was an excellent hockey player and a keen cricketer.
- During his time as a student at the Indian Military Academy, Manekshaw was known for his rebellious streak. He was once punished for refusing to shave his beard, which he grew to hide a scar on his face.
- Manekshaw was the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal, the highest military rank in India.
- He was known for his wit and humor, and many of his famous quotes and one-liners are still quoted in India today. One of his famous quotes is “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.”
- Manekshaw was a Parsi, a member of the Zoroastrian community in India, and he was the first
Parsi to become the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. - In 2002, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, for his outstanding contributions to the Indian armed forces.
- Despite his numerous accolades, Manekshaw remained a humble and down-to-earth person throughout his life. He was known for his simplicity and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
