[Assam] Sam Manekshaw - Our best known soldier dies

[DR BIKASH KUMAR DAS]

I was so encouraged by this man, when saw photo of Indo pak  1971 War and the only General to go to the front with bravery, I joined exactly 10 yrs later to the forces.And carried that pride till today.I am more sad that the man encouraged me is no more.But he lived more than time as he did maintained his military dignity till last moment.I know like me lot many man and women from India joined the forces and bcz of SAM all forces carried unity.Indian Armed Forces need more like him officers to keep strong.Now all gone to the hands of politicians.
There was one great incident for what today we would not have been able to see this great hero with us nor this news would have hit the news.I was posted at Air Force Academy Hyderabad from 1992-1996.In one of the units there we found one normal man in uniform called as NCEs( Non combatant enrollments), they are like uniformed office boy or lascars,sweepers etc.This man NCE AppaRao was a young lascar during 1971 war.he just joined and was shifted to East pakistan in a aircraft to carry back loads of seized arms.Gen SAM and Maj Gen Arora was in the flight inside east PAK..Two East Pak spy in the uniform of IAF Flt Lt rank was aproaching the aircraft.None felt that they the Pak will dare to board the flight of Indian General.So all ignored.But the presence of mind of NCE APPA RAO alerted that these are not Indian Air Force Officers and they was suspicious. he being non weapon handler and not trained for it took out a rifle and aimed to surrender sensing a
 major disaster ahead of the life of Gen SAM as well the aircraft.He charged them like a real fighter- all bcz that was war time and patriotism go peak.Immediately all came running and scolded, beaten up Appa Rao that he is doing wrong thing.His pant wa full of unrination by then.. but kept charging with the seized weapon and caught hold the 2 pak spy in Indian IAF uniform.He kept saying with loud cry that they are not Indian, PAk.Finally Indian Army interrogated and found to be true.It was another jouous moment to the Idian Armed Forces.Another hero was born.Appa Rao was later awarded with highest gllantary award- Surya Chakra.
But the sorrowful things began while he was with us during AFA perion from 1992-1996.The Commanding Officer Wing Commander Pathak of his unit banned his medal and ordered not to wear.In tradition anyone wears such high gallantary medals are subject to salute by any rank regardfless of senior or junior or civilian.Salute is given to the rank in military and the award/decorations.Since he was only a simply worker, he was asked to cut grass and do gardeing as punishment of wearing Shaurya Chakra( http://indianarmy.nic.in/argall1.htm  .He was later imprisoned at the age of 55...................Might be things never gone to FM Sam.We tried to inform authorities, but by then there are major changes in the forces......
At this junction I would like to bring this story of NCE Appa Rao of Hyderabad.Now he might be having a retired life elsewhere like me......
Alongwith Field Marshal SAM- today I remember Appa rao too.Salute to both the hero. One sang one unsung.Jai Hind!

Dr.Bikash Kumar Das
Founder
Rhino Jungle Adventures
www.rjadventures.org
Karnataka, North East India.
Bangalore( India)
0091-9480618880


 


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