Page 131 - Leadership in the Indian Army

Leela, who was reclining on a couch in the saloon, looked at him askance,
and asked him why he had given the sword to Bhaiyya. ‘I thought a soldier
never retires. Isn’t that what you always said?’ she asked. Thorat laughed

and replied: ‘Don’t worry. If I am recalled for duty, I will again wear the
sword.’
After retirement, the Thorats settled down in Kolhapur. Before he retired,
Thorat had been offered the appointment of Vice Chancellor of Lucknow
University, which he had declined, since he felt that he did not have the
credentials for a job which should be held by an outstanding academic. A
little later, the Chairman of Hindustan Steel requested him to join the

company as a director. Thorat agreed, and the proposal was cleared by
Sardar Swaran Singh, the Minister for Steel. However, as Thorat later
learned, it was turned down by the Prime Minister, on the advice of Krishna
Menon.
Soon after his arrival in Kolhapur, Thorat was informed that Yeshwantrao
Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, wanted to meet him. Thorat went

to the Circuit House, where Chavan was staying, and after greeting him,
asked why he had been called. Chavan handed Thorat a sealed envelope and
said: ‘General Sahib, this contains a formal letter requesting you to accept
the post of the Chairman of the Maharashtra State Public Service
Commission for five years. If the proposal is to your liking, kindly open the
envelope. Otherwise, just tear it up.’
Thorat replied: ‘Mr Chavan, you know I am not in the good books of

Panditji.’ Chavan said, ‘General Sahib, don’t worry about that. Maharashtra
is far from Delhi.’ Thorat then said that he and his wife had got used to
living in bungalows and would feel cooped up in a flat in Bombay. Chavan
told him that he would not have to live in a flat, but would be provided a
large bungalow. Thorat then came to his most important condition: he
would accept the job only if he was allowed to function independently. The

day he felt that he was under pressure from any minister or politician, he
would resign. Chavan readily agreed to this condition as well.
Thorat then said that they had just moved from Lucknow and his wife was
still unpacking and setting up house. He would like to discuss the matter
with her before giving a final reply. Chavan again agreed and Thorat left
with the envelope still unopened. After discussing the offer with Leela, he
decided to accept and sent his confirmation to Chavan. Along with his

appointment letter, Chavan issued a directive that no minister, secretary or