Sam Manekshaw, also known as Sam Bahadur, had a military career spanning four glorious decades. Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande attended the trailer launch of 'Sam Bahadur' Here is the story of the real life hero Sam Manekshaw.

At the height of tensions between India and Pakistan before the 1971 War...Legend goes that just before the 1971 war began Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked the Army Chief if he was ready and he replied ‘I am always ready, sweetie’. But there was a time when he wasn’t and he minced no words conveying that to the PM.

#SamBahadur #VickyKaushal #India

--------------------------------------------------------
Sam Manekshaw, also known as Sam Bahadur, had a military career spanning four glorious decades.


Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande attended the trailer launch of 'Sam Bahadur'
Here is the story of the real life hero Sam Manekshaw.
At the height of tensions between India and Pakistan before the 1971 War...
Legend goes that just before the 1971 war began
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked the Army Chief if he was ready
and he replied ‘I am always ready, sweetie’.
But there was a time when he wasn’t
and he minced no words conveying that to the PM.
In April 1971 when refugees started pouring into India’s bordering states from East Pakistan
PM Indira Gandhi called for a cabinet meeting and also summoned Army Chief Manekshaw
When asked about what the Army was doing to save East Pakistan from the West
Manekshaw said, “Nothing, it's got nothing to do with me. You didn't consult me when you allowed the BSF, the CRPF and RAW to encourage the Pakistanis to revolt. Now that you are in trouble, you come to me.”
Indira Gandhi at the very moment asked Manekshaw to enter Pakistan. And also asked if Manekshaw and the Army is prepared.
To this, he replied, “I am cevrtainly not.”
He then explained the gravity of the situation, “Soon the rains would flood the rivers of East Pakistan, and my tanks and guns would get bogged down. The Chinese, who had attacked India in 1962, could make a southern thrust through Chumbi Valley and march across north Bengal. That would cut off India’s northeast. Instead of Pakistan, it would be India that gets cut into two. My armoured division is supposed to have 189 tanks operational but only 11 are fit to fight. Hence, I need a lot more and newer weapons.”
The grim Prime Minister with her teeth clenched replied - “The Cabinet will meet again at four o'clock.”
As the ministers started to leave, the PM asked the Chief to stay back.
Sam Manekshaw thought that she might ask for his resignation, so he said, “Resignation on grounds of health, mental or physical?”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bringing you stories that matter to our generation.
Indiatimes is your go-to place for smart, intelligent and quirky content from around the world.
We feature stories that will inform and entertain you across a number of subject domains.
We aim to bring “you should know”worthy stories from the world of politics, sports, music, health, Bollywood, business, entertainment, automobiles and technology straight to you. A Times Internet Product

Like us on Facebook:   / indiatimes  
Follow us on Instagram:   / indiatimes  
Tweet to us:   / indiatimes