CHENNAI: Surjit Singh Barnala Governor O Tamil Nadu on Saturday paid tributes to late Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw at a memorial service organised at Officers Training Academy (OTA). He placed wreath on the portrait and signed the  Condolence Book

Speaking on the occassion he said that Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw was a towering personality endowed with a sharp mind and was a symbol and an embodiment of courage. He had made our nation stand high among the comity of nations. His mature war strategy and motivation of forces brought laurels to India and Indian Army.

Manekshaw’s acumen for planning and administration, handling issues related to the partition in 1947 and his battle skills during the 1947-48, Jammu and Kashmir Operations all speaks volume of his ability, bravery and leadership qualities.  It was a pride to our nation to have such a great personality who crafted India’s Military victories in his four decade military career. The 1971, Indo Pak War’s heroic victory is still afresh in the minds of the people of our country.

He said that it was the inborn quality of courage in Sam Manekshaw that instilled a spirit of confidence in the government and the people of our country.  It wiped the fear from the hearts of the people about the attack by Pakistan and China during Bangladesh war.  He was a man of integrity, known for his sense of humour who showed genuine concern for the men under his command. It was these qualities that endeared him to the officers and men. There is a popular saying, “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.  True to this dictum, Field Marshal Manekshaw shall live on in the hearts of our grateful nation.  This nation is indeed very proud of him.

Barnala said that Sam Manekshaw was a close friend of him and their association with each other crossed all boundaries. 'We first met at Chandigarh in 1985. He had a lot of praise for the Sikh soldiers and told me that he was alive today because a Sikh soldier carried me on his back to a safer place when I was critically wounded and was profusely bleeding in a battle. He risked his own life at that time to save me', he added. 

He extended sincere condolences to his daughters Sherry Batliwala and Maja Daruwala and to all the members of the bereaved family.  Minister for Labour Thiru T.M. Anbarasan, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Maj Gen R.K. Swamy, AVSM, VSM, Commandant, Officers Training Academy, Mrs. Sherry Batliwala, Daughter of Late Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Shri Gaganjit Singh Barnala, and other dignitaries were present.