India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, 63, lost his life in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor on Wednesday, December 8. 12 others have been confirmed dead in the incident. There were a total of 14 people on board.
The tragic passing of Gen Bipin Rawat leaves a huge void in the country’s effort to sharpen its strategic vision.
Gen Rawat, who was born on 16 March 1958 in the northern state of Uttarakhand, had the reputation of being a tough soldier and an inspiring commander. In recent months, the general was focusing on modernising the military.
Gen Rawat attended Cambrian Hall School in Dehradun and St. Edward’s School, Shimla. He then joined the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where he was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’.
Gen Rawat was appointed India’s first-ever Chief of Defence Staff in January 2019.
This brought together the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, and Gen Rawat had been in charge of a range of operations including in Indian-administered Kashmir.
He was the first guy who stood up to China conclusively since 1962.
General Rawat has played a pivotal role in creation of a tri-service culture. He has strategized the creation of Theatre Commands and ushered in several exponential changes in the arena of defence and security, especially modernisation and better processes for acquisition of equipment and weapons. He has remained a steadfast votary of Atam Nirbhar approach to development in this field.
During his four decades in service, Rawat has served as a Brigade Commander, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-C) Southern Command, General Staff Officer Grade 2 at the Military Operations Directorate, Colonel Military Secretary and Deputy Military Secretary in the Military Secretary’s Branch and Senior Instructor in the Junior Command Wing. He has also been part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force and has commanded a multinational brigade in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rawat became the Vice-Chief of Army Staff before becoming the fourth officer from the Gorkha Brigade to become the COAS.
He was instrumental in reducing the militancy in the Northeast, with one of the highlights of his career being the 2015 cross-border operation into Myanmar in which the Indian Army successfully responded to an ambush by NSCN-K militants. The mission was conducted from the operation command of Dimapur-based III Corps under Rawat’s supervision. He was also part of the planning for the 2016 surgical strikes, in which the Indian Army went across the Line of Control into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Rawat, it was reported, was monitoring the developments from South Block in New Delhi.
During his service, General Rawat has been decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, and Sena Medal.
A highly decorated general who will really be missed. There could not arguably have been a better poster boy for modernizing India’s defence forces than Gen Rawat. His exemplary contributions and commitment cannot be put into words.
Heartfelt condolences to the brave families of our men in uniforms. Sending prayers and strength to the families of CDS Bipin Rawat and all the Jawans who were onboard.
Rest in peace.