FIRST PART

When Dr. Abdul Kalam was the President, he visited Coonoor. On reaching, he came to know that field Marshall Sir Sam Manekshaw was in the Military Hospital there.

Dr. Kalam wanted to visit Sam, which was unscheduled. Arrangements were made. At the bedside, Kalam spent about 15 minutes..

Talking to Sam & enquiring about his health.

Just before leaving Kalam asked Sam

‘Are you comfortable?

Is there anything I could do?

Do you have any grievance?

Or any requirement that would make you more comfortable?’

SEC0ND PART

Sam said ‘Yes ..

Your excellency, I have 0ne grievance ‘shocked with concern & Anguish, Kalam asked him what it was.’

Sam replied

‘Sir, my grievance is that I am not able to get up & 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 this meeting is that Sam did tell APJ that he was not paid the pension of the field Marshall’s rank till then, for nearly twenty years.

FOURTH PART

An Aghast President went to Delhi and passed the pension with arrears within a week and sent the cheque of nearly Rs.1.25 Crores through the defence secretary by a special plane to Wellington, Ooty,

Where Sam was ailing.

That is the greatness of APJ.

FIFTH PART

But..

Then Sam received the cheque and promptly donated it to the Army Relief Fund.

Whom will you salute now..?

Indeed, those real Heroes are missing today.