A Heart-Warming Conversation Between Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Sam Manekshaw
On arrival at Wellington from the capital, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam drove straight to the airport to visit the man he admires - Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw
NewsBharati 03-Apr-2023 12:02:35 PM
Total Views |
In a rare gesture but a heart-warming one, Former President A P J Abdul Kalam, the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, had visited Coonoor. On reaching he came to know that Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw was admitted to the Military Hospital there. He wanted to meet the Field Marshal which was unscheduled. Arrangements were made. Notably, on arrival at Wellington from the capital, Kalam drove straight to the airport to visit the man he admires - Field Marshal Sam Bahadur Manekshaw.
The President was pleased to see the immaculate hospital and he wrote in the Visitor's Book: "Military Hospital, Wellington is always contributing the best. Please take care of our great wealth, our only Field Marshal Manekshaw."
At that time, Manekshaw had made Nilgiris his home after his active service came to a close. The two spent some time exchanging pleasantries and recalling their previous meetings. The President inquired from the Field Marshal about his state of health and wished him a speedy recovery. The Field Marshal was extremely cheerful and greeted the President very warmly.
Just before leaving, the former President asked Manekshaw "Are you comfortable? Is there anything I could do? Do you have any grievance or any requirement that would make you more comfortable?" Replying to this, Sam said "Yes, Mr Excellency, I have one grievance". Shocked with concern and anguish, he asked him what it was.
Sam replied, "Sir, my grievance is that I am not able to get up & Salute my most respected President of my beloved country".
But the remaining part of the tale with regarding this meeting is that Sam did tell APJ that he was not paid the pension of the Field Marshal’s rank till then, for nearly twenty years. An aghast President went to Delhi and passed the pension with arrears within a week and sent the cheque of nearly Rs 1.25 crores through the Defence Secretary by a special plane to Wellington, Ooty, where Sam was ailing. That is the greatness of APJ. But then Sam received the cheque and promptly donated it to the Army Relief Fund.
The President was pleased to see the immaculate hospital and he wrote in the Visitor's Book: "Military Hospital, Wellington is always contributing the best. Please take care of our great wealth, our only Field Marshal Manekshaw."
Anjali Ankad
Anjali Ankad has completed graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication and Masters in Journalism. While working as a sub-editor to Newsbharati, she aims to make her hand robust on sports.