The relationship with the soldier is deeply personal, often devotional. When an image is framed as a tribute—invoking sacrifice and nationalism—the instinct is to honour, not verify.
Manekshaw was gravely injured at the battle of the Sittang Bridge in 1942. That didn’t stop him from cracking up the doctor treating him with his trademark humour.
At Chief’s annexe in South Block, the painting served as an enduring backdrop to official meet-ups and photographs with dignitaries who visited Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
As India & Bangladesh fondly remembered Field Marshal Manekshaw on 50th Victory Day, Maja Daruwala gave insight into what then-Army chief was like to his soldiers and family.
The outrage of ex-Servicemen against new claims on Manekshaw’s role in 1971 shows a homily in the larger literature, which undermines the agency of the forces.
Jairam Ramesh’s brilliant new biography tells the story of V.K. Krishna Menon, who is reviled and demonised in the BJP-RSS worldview as the ‘villain of 1962’.
For several months before the battle, Army had been rehearsing breaking through Pakistani defences. The shortfall in vehicles, equipment & manpower was made-up.
India’s transmission system failed to absorb more than 8 billion kilowatt-hours of power in April to June, when 63 billion actually reached the system.
Maritime security agreement opens avenues for joint development of naval ships and design, greater use of Indian shipbuilding and repair facilities by Japan.
At some point Pakistani dictators begin to show paranoia. That’s the strategic reality most relevant to India since the late fifties. Munir’s case is worse, like some sudden acrophobia.
COMMENTS