No top brass at funeral

The absence of top political and military leaders at Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw’s funeral has raised eyebrows among the armed forces. While most leaders sent out condolence messages, Defence Minister A K Antony and the Navy and Air Force chiefs were conspicuous by their absence. The Army Chief, who is currently in Russia, was represented by Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen M L Naidu, the most senior military officer to attend the function. Antony was represented by Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju, and the Chiefs of the Air Force and Navy sent two-star General rank officers from Delhi and Wellington to attend the state funeral. The Defence Ministry attributed Antony’s absence to prior political engagements.