Bangalore, July 5 : An emotional memorial was held at the Chopra Auditorium here on Saturday as homage to late Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw college.

The Governor of Karnataka, Rameshwar Thakur, Principal Secretary Home Vatsala Valsa, Additional Chief Secrtetary Shantha Kumari were present at event held inside the compound of the Army Service Corps Centre and College.

A large number of soldiers, both serving and retired were present at the venue in their ceremonial dress, each proudly sporting medals to remind them of the war they had fought.

The memorial service was a dignified and solemn affair befitting the occasion. Rich floral tributes and wreaths were laid on the large sized photograph of the Field Marshal.

This was followed by a documentary film on the legendary soldier. Senior retired Army officers recalled their association with Sam Manekshaw, who they hailed as an outstanding leader of men; exceptionally genuine and humane.

Lieutenant General NSI Narahari (Retired) shared some memories with ANI, he said the Field Marshal was one of the most inspirational leaders whom his men followed unquestioningly.

Major Genearl M C Nanjappa, AVSM, YSM (Retired) while speaking to ANI, described him as rare personification of elegance, intelligence and charm.

Officers, Junior Commanding Officer (JCO's), other ranks and people from other walks of life penned down their tributes in a condolence book.

Director General of Police, Karnataka, R. Srikumar, Commissioner of Police Neelam Achuth Rao, retired and serving officers, including Air Marshal V. R. Iyer, Brigadier P. S. Ravindranath, and Commander of the Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, Commandants of various Army Units, were also present.

Field Marshal Manekshaw died at the Military Hospital in Wellington on June 27 at the age of 94.

Born on April 3, 1914 to Parsi parents belonging to the small Zoroastrian community of India, in Amritsar, Manekshaw was among the first batch of cadets to join the coveted Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, on October 1, 1932.

He was commissioned into the 12th Frontier Force Regiment in December 1934.

After the partition of India and Pakistan, Manekshaw remained in the Indian Army and was posted as Commandant of the Infantry School and Colonel of the 8th Gorkha Rifles, which became his parental regiment after the 12th Frontier Force went to the Pakistan Army.

In his career, spanning nearly four decades, Manekshaw rose to be the 8th chief of the world's fourth largest Army on June 7, 1969. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour, in 1972 and conferred the rank of Field Marshal on January 1, 1973.

Manekshaw retired on January 15, 1973, and later served on the board of directors of several private companies. (ANI)