My Dear Prime Minister, If Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw could not be honoured with Bharat Ratna during his lifetime, the least which the Government of India can do now to honour him now is to bestow upon him the award of Bharat Ratna Posthumously. He is one of the most deserving son of India and a great, brave and distinguished soldier, who brought many a glorious victories and moments of achievements to this grateful Nation.
RE:Bharat Ratna for Sam Bahadur
by Ramanath Babu on Jun 27, 2008 02:27 PM Permalink
My dear Lalit Anand,
Although Manekshaw is a real GEM of an Indian, 'Bharat RAtna' is the highest civilian award in this country. It cannot be given to a military personal.
RE:Bharat Ratna for Sam Bahadur
by Ramesh Gamini on Jun 27, 2008 02:54 PM Permalink
That's true! Being a Field Marshall technically he remains a General/soldier forever. But now that he is laid to rest the Government should consider building a great memorial for him at Wellington, his home after retirement from the army.
RE:Bharat Ratna for Sam Bahadur
by Mahesh Desai on Jun 27, 2008 04:20 PM Permalink
Dear Ramnathji. How come he was awarded PADMABHUSHAN AND PADMAVIBHUSHAN?
RE:Bharat Ratna for Sam Bahadur
by Ramanath Babu on Jun 27, 2008 04:49 PM Permalink
I just looked into the google. Padma Vibhushan is awarded to civilians including government servants, but excluding military personnel! Maneksha was awarded Padma Vibhushan for civil service in the year 1972. As you perhaps now, military personnel are deputed to other departments and asked to perform civilian duties. Even in Defence Ministry etc. military personnel do civilian work as in the case of say, a finance ministry or railway ministry. For example prior to STD/ISD services, we used to call to distant places through telephone exchange. There are telephones exchanges in the defence ministry which were maintained and operted by defence personnel for civilian purpose I presume. I am not sure about this, people who served in the military may be able to comment authoritatively on this subject.
