|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leadership: Field Marshal
Sam Manekshaw
ADCs and staff officers are known to grow in the shadow of their generals and rarely manage to spin out of the "larger-than-life" perceived image of their bosses. Yet they do get a unique opportunity to observe them from close quarters. Refreshingly, Maj-Gen S. D. Sood (Shubhi Sood) has not only succeeded in disengaging himself from the spell of the all-powerful personality of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, but also has been able to step back and take a broader and compulsively objective look at the making of that great military leader. At the best of times, Sam presents a kaleidoscopic picture of all the facets of leadership. And to condense his 90 years and more than four decades of an illustrious, action-packed career without losing objectivity was a daunting task, which Shubhi Sood has handled with deftness. Considerable research has gone into compiling this book that covers Sam’s early childhood, and his initial years in service, culminating in the action at the Sittang river bridge in Burma, where he nearly died. Leading his company, he had charged into the Japanese position and taken a burst of light machine gun in his stomach and chest, in all nine bullets, and won the Military Cross. His was the last ship to leave Singapore before it fell to the Japanese. In his condition he would not have survived the Japanese prisoners of war camp. Twice destiny had intervened to pull him from the jaws of death, perhaps for fulfilling a larger mission in life. The book details the abiding quality of his large heartedness, generosity and forgiving nature. His concern and care for the welfare of officers and troops endeared him to his staff and the Army. He faced the infamous inquisition against him, while he was Commandant Staff College, with equanimity and dignity and later never harmed those who gave false evidence against him. When Indira Gandhi told him that she had reports of his planning a coup, he responded by saying, " Madame Prime Minister, you have nothing to fear; from me or the Army. You do your job and let me do mine." He was fearless and his commitment to the Army and the nation was total. The book brings out his strategic grasp over national security issues. In the face of pressure from the Cabinet and the Prime Minister to mount an offensive against East Pakistan, in April itself, he offered to resign rather than going against his professional judgment. His detractors heaped much calumny on him, but nothing could deter him from his resolve. This act bears similarity with Marshal Kutuzov’s refusal to defend Moscow against Napoleon’s advance on the Russian capital. Indian troops won their last great victory against a foreign army of importance in 303 BC, when Chandragupt Maurya defeated Seleucus Nicator. Now, after a period of over 2300 years, Sam Manekshaw made the country experience the glow of a stunning victory against Pakistan’s army in East Pakistan. As Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, he was alive to the sensitivities of the other two services. He displayed natural charm and people were attracted to him. The book is all about leadership—all that goes into the making of a leader and what it takes to influence others and make them follow. The book should be of a great value to those in and out of uniform, as also to others in the corporate world and political field. The reviewer is a retired Lieutenant-General. |
