Field Marshal Manekshaw

Field Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw was quite a legend when I was a kid. Even though I barely understood then why India and Pakistan were at war over East Pakistan, it was Manekshaw more than Indira Gandhi who impressed me more. Not because I was fond of war games or playing with toy guns. But, there was something neat about Manekshaw and did he exude charm!
According to the BBC, Field Marshal Manekshaw also said that India lost a golden opportunity to solve the Kashmir issue once and for all at the Shimla summit with Pakistan which was held soon after the 1971 war. It is unfortunate that Kashmir continues to be far from the peaceful and heavenly place it ought to be.

Anyway, am glad that Manekshaw and many of his fellow Parsis chose India, over Pakistan, when the countries became independent. Nothing against Pakistan. If he had opted for Pakistan, then Manekshaw would not have spent his retired life in Tamil Nadu, and dad would not have had the chance to shake his hands.

Yet another old soldier fades away. Goodbye, ol' chap.