Manekshaw's condition stable

Airdashed to the army's specialised Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi, following complaints of traces of pneumonia and acute chest congestion, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw on Monday showed improvement in his health, which doctors said was 'stable'.

"His condition is stable and he is responding to treatment," Major General O P Mathews Commandant of the hopsital said, in a medical bulletin issued on the health of the 92-year-old Field Marshal, who was flown to Delhi on Monday morning from his home near Wellington in Tamil Nadu.

"We plan to undertake extensive investigations of his health condition," the bulletin said, as the Marshal, a veteran of second World War Burma Campaign and hero of 1971 Bangladesh Operations had a brief talk with a number of VVIP callers.

The Army Chief General J J Singh, as well as other top services brass, called on the Field Marshal briefly in his Intensive Care Unit ward.

Manekshaw was admitted to the Military Hospital at Wellington Cantonement following complaints of breathlessness four days ago. The doctors attending on him advised that he be flown to Delhi for specialised treatment, army sources said.

Manekshaw was the first officer to be appointed Field Marshal in the Indian Army after retirement in 1973 in recognition of his role in the Bangladesh Operation.

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