Good bye Sam Bahadur

When I think of Sam Bahadur, I cannot but recall the blood curdling broadcast he made to the Pakistan Army in the then East Pakistan to surrender or else... His exhortion was such it broke the morale of a mighty army and made it surrender meekly. I also recall the pride that was instilled while watching the POW trains passing through Bengal and Bihar. The way he used to build up the valour and morale of our troops by visiting them in trenches, shown courtesy Films Division, used to bring goose-pimples all over.

He had a riveting yet elegant personality. His humour, as reported in press, was spontaneous and gentlemanly. His adaucity legendary. His rapport with entire arny rank and file in general and the Gorkhas in particular astounding.

That none of importance from the Government or Army cared to attend his funeral may not be accidental. The accolodes he received for the rout of the Pakistani army did not go down well with Congress dispensation then and may be even now. Also the trend is to project only those who belong to 'The Family'.

But mere presence or absence of personalities at his funeral will make no difference to his name and fame. He was a man of action and did not ride on the connections one had with those in power unlike some other generals.

Good bye Sam Bahaadur! You were both fearless and a Gorkha in his true spirit thus achieving a standard set by yourself. Jai Hind


...ponder