Army to install Manekshaw statues in Delhi, Wellington

Udhagamandalam, April 3: Life size statues of Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw would be installed in

and Wellington near Udhagamandalam as part of the 100th birthday celebrations of the former chief of the Indian Army, a top

official said on Wednesday.

The statues of the first Indian military officer to hold the highest rank of Field Marshal in the Indian Army would be installed at Army College in Delhi and Madras Regimental Centre, Wellington, Maj Gen Ravi Thodge, Chief instructor (Army), Defence Service Staff College, Wellington, told reporters on the sidelines of memorial services of Manekshaw.

On the occasion of the memorial services, a wreath was placed at the 'Parsee Cemetary' here, where he was laid to rest on June 27, 2008. Fd Marshal Manekshaw, also remembered as "Sam Bahadur", led the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971 which led to the liberation of Bangladesh.

Born in April 3, 1914, his over four-decade military career saw him participate in World War II, the three wars against Pakistan and the 1962 India-China War.

PTI