Obama pays tribute to Sam Manekshaw

Washington, Jul 2: US Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama has paid glowing tributes to Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the hero of India's victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, who passed away five days ago. "Field Marshal Manekshaw provided an example of personal bravery, self-sacrifice, and steadfast devotion to duty that began before India's independence, and will deservedly be remembered far into the future," Obama said, offering "deep condolences to the people of India."

Obama's statement is a product of a new India policy team set up two weeks ago within his campaign team. The team, co-chaired by two prominent Indian-Americans Vinod Khosla and Swadesh Chatterjee, includes some 20 Indian-Americans and South Asia experts from Bill Clinton's administration. A key member of the team and the only Indian-American in Obama's inner circle is Preeta Bansal, a Harvard Law School colleague of Obama.

But there is also a view that it's not just about votes; the Indian legend is known across the world. Obama, a graduate in law from Harvard University, is likely to have read about the brilliance of Manekshaw in the 1971 war. As a senior Indian military officer put it, Manekshaw's field tactics in the 1971 war is taught in war colleges across the world as a "masterpiece".

OneIndia News