Set in motion shortly after dawn with a solemn wreath laying ceremony at his grave in the Parsi cemetery here, the centennial birth anniversary celebrations of Field Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw organised by the armed forces of the Wellington garrison concluded with the unveiling of a life size statue of the ‘soldier of soldiers’ at Wellington.
The Commandant, Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Lt. Gen. S.K. Gadeok, who led the wreath laying ceremony, expressed the gratification of those who got an opportunity to pay tributes to the iconic leader.
Manekshaw’s grand daughter Brandy Batliwala said after paying homage that it was a joyous occasion for the family of the Field Marshal. Thanking the Army for its gesture and acknowledging the kind words and emotional messages of many civilians, she said her grandfather was very much part of The Nilgiris society.
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The Commandant, MRC, Brigadier S. Suresh Kumar, said since the statue of the Field Marshal had been placed on a pedestal near the Manekshaw bridge close to the Ooty-Coonoor national highway, tourists could get a clear view of it.
Pointing out that about 700 athletes, including students of various schools and colleges of The Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts, had participated in the Field Marshal Memorial Run from the Charing Cross to Thangaraj stadium, Wellington, he said 25 cash prizes amounting to Rs.1.19 lakh had been distributed. Field Marshal Manekshaw was a permanent resident of The Nilgiris. He died at the Military Hospital in Wellington on the midnight of June 26/27, in 2008 at the age of 94.