Page 200 - Leadership in the Indian Army

him and when the wife of one of them was admitted in the military hospital,
Sam made it a point to drive the kancha to the hospital daily, so that he
could look her up. No wonder the Gorkhas worship him. It is such qualities

that made Sam a legend, and one of the most popular military leaders of the
Indian Army. He is still active, both physically and mentally, and takes an
avid interest in every thing, however mundane. It is a pity that the political
leadership chose to sideline him, and thus deprived the nation, and the
armed forces, of the benefit of his rich experience and undoubted talents.
Any other person, so treated, would have sunk into oblivion, but not Sam.
Quite sensibly, he shunned politics, and refused gubernatorial and

ambassadorial assignments. But he keeps himself busy with other pursuits.
He is on the board of several large companies, and takes an active interest
in their affairs.
Sam is a born leader, and practises the techniques of the battle field in the
boardroom as well. During the 1971 war, a decision had to be taken to
launch a pre-emptive air strike against the Pakistani defences in Karachi.

The Air Chief agreed to do it, but suggested that they get it cleared by the
Defence Minister. ‘Why should we?’ asked Sam. ‘Once the political
decision to wage war has been taken by the Government, we must take
responsibility for all military decisions ourselves.’ It was this type of
leadership and the excellent cooperation between the three services, which
won the war. A similar style of leadership, if displayed in 1962, might have
produced different results and saved the nation from the ignominy it

suffered.
Silloo, Sam’s companion for over 60 years, passed away recently. Her
departure left a void in his life, and though he does not show it, Sam has
lost some of the spring in his step. Sherry and Maja visit Stavka whenever
they can, and so do Sam’s grandchildren. Everyone, including his
grandchildren, calls him Sam. Like he used to do with his daughters, Sam

tells droll stories and jokes to his grandchildren too, including some risque
ones in Gujarati. Sam had never regretted not having a son, till very
recently. ‘I have so many rifles, pistols, fishing tackle and clothes—he
could have them all,’ he says.
In the twilight of his years, Sam Manekshaw remains a much loved and
respected figure. A Field Marshal never retires and Sam is a living example.
Though he has quit active service, he continues to take an active interest in

the Army. His lectures on ‘Leadership’, at military as well as civilian