04/05/2023
FIRST PART:
When Dr. Abdul Kalam was the President, he visited Coonoor, Kerala. On reaching, he came to know that Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, widely known as Sam Manekshaw is hospitalized in the Military Hospital.
Dr. Kalam wanted to visit Sam Manekshaw, which was unscheduled but arrangements were made for his visit to the hospital. At the bedside Kalam spent about 15 Minutes..
Talking to Sam Manekshaw enquiring about his health, just before leaving Dr. Kalam asked Sam Manekshaw, "are you comfortable?; Is there anything I could do?; Do you have any grievances? Or requirements that would make you comfortable?"
SECOND PART:
Sam Manekshaw said 'Yes ..Your Excellency,
I have one Grievance'; shocked with concern and anguish, Kalam asked him, What was it?
Sam replied; 'Sir, My grievance is that I am not able to get up and salute my most respected President of my beloved country'.
Kalam held Sam's Hand as both were in tears!
THIRD PART:
But the remaining part of the tale with regarding to this meeting is that Sam Manekshaw did tell Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam that he was not paid the pension of the Field Marshal's rank till date, for nearly 25 years!
FOURTH PART:
An aghast President went to Delhi and passed the pension with arrears within a week and sent the cheque of nearly 1.25 crores through Defence Secretary by a special plane to Wellington, Ooty, Kerala where Sam was hospitalized.
That is the Greatness of our President APJ Abdul Kalam.
FIFTH PART:
But.....then Sam Manekshaw received the cheque and promptly donated it to the Army Relief Fund.
Whom will you salute now..?
Indeed those Real Heroes are missing today.
