By IANS,
New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) A postage stamp on the legendary Field Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw who scripted India’s decisive win in 1971 war with Pakistan that led to the creation of Bangladesh was released here Thursday, the 37th anniversary of that victory.
President Pratibha Patil released the stamp and First Day Cover at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The function, on “Vijay Diwas” as Dec 16 is observed every year, was attended by Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor.
Manekshaw died at the Military Hospital in Wellington in Tamil Nadu June 27 after developing acute bronchopneumonia. He was 94.
Born on April 3, 1914, Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Mankeshaw belonged to the first batch of officers to be commissioned from the Indian Military Academy in 1934. Britain still ruled India.
He was the Indian Army chief from 1969 to 1973 and was elevated to Field Marshal just before he retired.
He served in Myanmar, then called Burma, during the Second World War and was awarded the Military Cross for valour on the battlefield.