He lived a wonderful life, says Manekshaw’s daughter

Wellington: “My father was lucky to have had a wonderful life especially his retired life and last days in Coonoor, where he was given good medical care at the Military Hospital,” said Maja Dharuwala, daughter of Field Marshal Manekshaw.

A composed but emotional daughter, Ms. Dharuwala offered to speak a few words following persistent requests from the media.

“My father liked and decided to settle down in Coonoor because my mother loved the place so much,” she said.

Field Marshal Manekshaw’s grandson Jehan, who stepped in to speak to the media on behalf of his emotional mother, said “We had been visiting Coonoor to spend time with my grandpa for the last two years. Wherever I was seen in and around Coonoor shopkeepers and public used to enquire about my grandpa and his health and used to convey their regards.”

“My grandpa had a great love for this people and place and the affection of the people of this hill district towards him had always been amazing.” Gently and softly avoiding further queries from the battery of media personnel, Jehan said, “Please nothing more to say.”

‘Humorous despite age’

“It was a great honour to treat a great hero who was brilliant, witty, humorous, charming despite his age and health,” this is what pulmonologist BNBM Prasad, Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Army Hospital, New Delhi, said while briefing newspersons at the Madras Regimental Centre Quadrangle.

Sam Manekshaw, who was in and out of the hospital for the last two years, was sinking for the last four days and Army Hospital expert doctors were rushed to the Military Hospital, Coonoor.

Describing the last days and last moments of Field Marshal Manekshaw, Dr. Col. Prasad said “he found a strange will power even when he was critically ill and Manekshaw largely and greatly remained composed.”

Peaceful death

“He had a peaceful death with both his daughters holding his hand at the bedside.” A warrior who fought battles even while battling for his life “always proved to be a companion to the other ailing patients at the hospital,” Dr. Prasad noted.

Close aide’s account

Mann Bahadhur Thappa, a close aide of Field Marshal Manekshaw for more than a decade, said, “Saab just looked into my eyes when I visited him at the Military Hospital once during his last four days.”

Mann Bahadhur, trying to come to grips with the reality of the loss, said, “I knew that Saab was trying to tell me something but I understood that he was not able to speak, hence his attempt to convey something through the eyes.”

The former Army Chief always had a big heart for personnel from the Gurkha Regiment and had chosen to have all his personal aides from the Gurkha community.