ANECDOTES - SAM BAHADUR

ANECDOTES - SAM BAHADUR

By

 V.K. Singh

            India’s first Field Marshal, SHFJ Manekshaw became famous after the decisive victory over Pakistan in 1971 that led to its dismemberment and the creation of a new nation – Bangla Desh. More than his prowess as a military leader, what has made him immensely popular among soldiers is his ready wit and sense of humour. Stories and anecdotes about Sam Bahadur, as he is popularly known, form the staple fare in bars, mess halls and drawing rooms even today.

Shortly after taking over as the Chief of the Army Staff, Sam visited Mhow, near Indore, where a large number of military training establishments are located.  It had been decided to move the Infantry School to Belgaum, in order to accommodate the College of Combat that was to be established at Mhow. The advance party of the Infantry School had already left, and the rest were in the process of packing. In the evening, a delegation of orderlies, tradesmen and shopkeepers of Mhow met Sam, and begged him to cancel the move orders, since many of them would lose their livelihood. Some of them had cut his hair, made his shoes or stitched his clothes, during his previous tenures at Mhow, including one as the Commandant of the Infantry School. “Sir, you can’t say no to us,” they said. Sam was in a quandary. He did not want to reverse a decision that had been taken after a lot of deliberation. At the same time, he wanted to help the locals. Finally, he found a via-media. He decided that instead of the entire Infantry School,  only the Commando Wing would move to Belgaum.

The same evening, Sam was asked to inaugurate a new wing of the Club of Central India, which has now become the Defence Services Officers Institute. He noticed that the new wing had still not been properly furnished, and when he remarked so, he was promptly asked for some funds. He agreed to a generous grant from the Chief's Welfare Fund, and then said, "I just don't know how to say no. Sometimes, I thank God for making me a man, and not a woman. Can you imagine my condition if it had been otherwise - I would have been always pregnant."

Many years later, Sam visited the Military Hospital in Secunderabad. When he arrived, the Commandant of the hospital received him. Along with the medical officers, the nursing officers were also lined up to meet him.  He stopped near the youngest one, and asked her why she was improperly dressed.  The poor girl blushed a deep scarlet, and began to stammer. The matron, who was an old battle-axe, came to her rescue, and asked Sam what he meant.  

       "Matron, as far as I remember, skirts are to end three inches above the knee.  Your girls have skirts going right down to the knee".  And holding the hapless girl's skirts with both hands, he lifted it until it came to the correct height.

        There were giggles galore, but the matron was not to be silenced. "Sir, I have asked the girls to wear longer skirts, because the men stare at them in the wards", she said.

       "Matron, have you ever asked the girls whether they mind the men staring at them?" asked Sam, and moved on.  This silenced the matron, while the girls grinned from ear to ear.

17 Jan 2008