| Sam Manekshaw was the first Indian Army Officer to become a Field Marshal in independent India. |
| As a teenager, Manekshaw had wanted to study medicine in London, but his father refused, leading him to join the Indian Army. |
| He was part of the Pioneers, the first batch of the Indian Military Academy, with only 40 students. |
| During World War 2, he was injured but his Divisional Commander remarked, 'A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross'. |
| In 1969, Sam became the eighth Army Chief of Staff appointed by the Indira Gandhi Government. |
| Manekshaw led India to victory against Pakistan in 1971, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh. |
| He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1968 and Padma Vibhushan in 1972 for his remarkable contributions. |
| In his career, he fought in 5 wars and was the first Indian Army officer to become a Field Marshal upon his retirement. |
| Manekshaw was known for his boldness and resistance against decisions that compromised the Army's position. |
| He had a fondness for animals, particularly dogs, and was an avid gardener and cooking enthusiast. |
| Sam had a unique habit of collecting everyday items like soaps, matchboxes, and playing cards. |
| He was deeply passionate about preserving the dignity of the Indian Army and often spoke out against political interference. |
| The film director Meghna Gulzar announced a film on Sam Manekshaw with Vicky Kaushal in 2019. |
| Sam passed away in 2008 due to acute bronchopneumonia in Wellington, Tamil Nadu. |
| Before his death, former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had visited him in the hospital. |
| Following his death, there was discontent over the modest funeral given to him and the absence of top officials. |
| Several tributes were made to honor Sam, including a flyover in Ahmedabad named after him by Narendra Modi. |
| A postage stamp and a statue in Manekshaw's honor were unveiled in 2008 and 2009 respectively. |
| On his 100th birth anniversary in 2014, a statue was unveiled in New Delhi with General Bikram Singh crediting him for creating Bangladesh in 1971. |
| In 2024, General V P Malik stated that Sam Manekshaw was highly deserving of the Bharat Ratna award. |
