Excerpts from the book “Toward Resurgent India ” written by Lt Gen( Retired ) M M Lakhera --- Freedom First - August 2009

1. "Don't worry when you are not recognized, it is a nation's
folly and misfortune that they will eventually
regret . Abraham Lincoln to military veterans.
WHEN THE VICTORIA CROSS WINNER
HAS TO CROSS THE ROAD
Excerpts from the book “Toward Resurgent India ” written by Lt Gen( Retired ) M M
Lakhera --- Freedom First - August 2009
I had gone to UK as Dy Leader of Indian Delegation to take part in 50th Anniversary
Celebrations of victory in Europe during Second World War.
I along with four other army officers had just stepped out after attending the inaugural
session and were waiting on the roadside for the traffic to ease so as to walk across the
road to the vehicle park. Among those with me was Honorary Captain Umrao Singh, a
Victoria Cross Winner.
We were all in our ceremonial Indian Army uniform.
All of a sudden a car moving on the road came to a screeching halt in front of us and a
well dressed gentleman stepped out.
He approached Umrao Singh and said, “Sir, may I have the privilege to shake hands with
the Victoria Cross winner?” He shook hands with him. Evidently he had spotted Umraio
Singh’s medal from the car and had stopped his car to pay his respect to a winner of
highest gallantry medal of his country.
Then he looked at me and said, “General, you are from the Indian army.” When I replied
in affirmative, he gave out his name saying that he was Michael Haseltine.

2. I was absolutely astounded as the recognition dawned on me that he was the Dy Prime
Minister of UK . I was totally overawed by the courtesy shown by a dignitary of second
highest status in the British Government and humbly thanked him for having invited our
delegation to the VE day function.
Again his reply was typical of his sagacity, “ Sir, it is We, the British who should be grateful
to your Country and to your Armed Forces, who had helped us win both the first and
second world wars. How can we ever be so ungrateful to forget your country’s great
contribution?
Suddenly I became conscious that all the traffic behind his car had come to a standstill.
I hurried to thank him and politely requested to move along to relieve the traffic hold-up,
although there was no honking !
He stated, “Sir, How dare I drive off when the Victoria Cross has to cross the road. I shall
hold the traffic.”
Respecting his earnest feeling, I and my colleagues quickly crossed the road. Reaching
the other side I looked back and saw that Mr. Heseltine was still standing for the Victoria
Cross to be safely across. He and the traffic moved on only after we waved them off with
a salute.
That is the type of regard they have for their decorated soldiers. Most of the civilized
country do.
I have always aspired that similar respect could be shown to our military heroes - at least
Param Vir Chakra or Ashok Chakra winners - by the leaders and citizens of our country.
"It is up to us to give ourselves recognition. If we wait for it
to come from others, we feel resentful when it doesn't, and
when it does, we may well reject it.” -- Spencer Tracy