The soldier, who led India to its greatest military victory in the 1971 war, is no more.
Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw died at the Military Hospital at Wellington in Tamil Nadu on Friday. He was 94. Manekshaw had developed 'acute bronchopneumonia with associated complications' and was placed under intensive care four days ago after his condition became serious.
Affectionately called 'Sam Bahadur', Manekshaw was the architect of many a military triumph, but his finest hour came when Pakistani forces were vanquished in 14 days flat. And Bangladesh was born.
The country honoured him with Padma Bhushan in 1968 and Padma Vibhushan in 1972.
Click here to pay your tribute to the valiant Sam Manekshaw.
More from rediff