Anupama Nair
www.mediaeyenews.com
December 8, 2021 was a day like any other day for the world – hustle and bustle of the city, a quiet country life, but for us in India, in the evening it was very tragic day as our beloved and extremely patriotic General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika, and 11 others died in a chopper crash in Conoor in Tamil Nadu. He was a true son of Bharat Mata and his heart was filled with love for his mother land and he truly believed in "Janani Janmabhumishcha Swargadapi Gariyasi" which meant “mother and motherland are superior even to heaven”. For me a proud citizen of Bharat or Aryavarta it felt like a personal loss. It was this feeling of loss that I could not write about him, without my eyes filling with tears and that is the reason I could not write for many days. He was very dear to each and every Indian whose heart is filled with love for the country. What shocked me was some people rejoiced his death. Let us forget such people.
Bipin Rawat was born in Uttarakhand. His father, Laxman Singh Rawat, served the Indian Army as Lieutenant General. His mother was the daughter of an ex-MLA from Uttarkashi. He received his formal education at Cambrian Hall School in Dehradun and St. Edward’s School in Shimla and later joined the National Defense Academy, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where he was honored with the Sword Honorary.
He also graduated from Defense Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, and the Senior Command Course of the United States Army Staff and Command College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He got M.Phil. Degree in Defense Science and a Diploma in Administration and Computer Science from Madras University. He was honored with a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, for his research in strategic studies of military resources.
On December 16, 1978, CDS Bipin Rawat was assigned to the prestigious 5th Battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles, the same unit that his father Laxman Singh Rawat served.
He has spent 10 years in countering surgency operations and has served in various strikes to what he did as current CDS. In the post of Major, Bipin Rawat commanded a company in Uri, Jammu, and Kashmir. He commanded his battalion along the LAC at Kibithu as a Colonel.
After being promoted to the rank of a Brigadier, he commanded Sector 5 of the Rashtriya Rifles in Sopore and the multi-national brigade during a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), where he was twice awarded the Mention Commendation of the Force Commander. Bipin Rawat assumed the role of the commanding general of the 19th Infantry Division in Uri when he was promoted to the rank of Major General. As a Lieutenant General, he commanded the III corps, based in Dimapur before taking command of the Southern Army in Pune. After being promoted to the rank of Army Commander, he assumed the post of Commander General (GOCinC) of Southern Command. Soon after, he was promoted to the post of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army.
Bipin saab was appointed 27th Chief of Staff of the Army by the Government of India on December 17, 2016, and took office on December 31, 2016. He was also the 57th and final Chairman of the Heads of State Committee Major of the Indian Army. He was appointed as the first CDS on December 30, 2019, and took office on January 1, 2020.
He was involved in reducing militancy in the north-east region with one of the highlights of his career in the 2015 cross-border operation in Myanmar, in which the Indian military responded successfully to an ambush by NSCNK militants. The mission was carried out by the operational command of III Corps Dimapur under the supervision of Rawat ji. He was also part of the planning for the 2016 surgical attack, in which the Indian Army crossed the line of control into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
CDS General Bipin Rawat has received many medals and honors for a distinguished career that nearly spanned a period of nearly four decades.
Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Uttam Yudh Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Yudh Seva Medal
Sena Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal
Wound Medal
Samanya Seva Medal
Special Service Medal
Operation Parakram Medal
Sainya Seva Medal
High Altitude Service Medal
Videsh Seva Medal
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal
30-year Long Service Medal
20- year Long Service Medal
9- year Long Service Medal
MONUSCO
Rawat ji also played a key role in the formation of the Army. He was instrumental in reforming the military to reduce administrative interference, reduce duplicity, and also increase combat potential of our great Army. He also ensured that the man behind the car remained important, arming new assault rifles which was bought from the United States. He also played a vital role in the modernization of the army. Under his tenure, the military accepted the government’s decision to impose the disability pension, angering disabled veterans by the military fraternity.
The death of CDS Bipin Rawat and others on 8th December brings into spotlight the Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters, that have a history of accidents in India.
The Mi-17 V5 is a modern transport helicopter used by the Indian Air Force. The chopper is designed to carry personnel, cargo and equipment inside its cargo cabin or on an external sling. The helicopter is capable of dropping tactical air assault forces teams. The Russian-made Mi-series choppers have been involved in a number of crashes over the past 10 years. As many as five accidents have taken place since 2010, that claimed the lives of at least 42 people.
Many condolences poured in for our beloved General Bipin Saab from India and the world. Our great Prime Minister Modi, who is known for his patriotism tweeted “General Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernizing our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti”.
Our great President Mr. Kovind tweeted, “I am shocked and anguished over the untimely demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika ji. The nation has lost one of its bravest sons. His four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family”. The Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said, “General Rawat added great strength to our defense capabilities and made a stellar contribution to strengthening our national security. His outstanding service to our nation will always be remembered”.
A tweet from former Pakistani Major Adil Raja said "Sir, please accept my heartfelt condolences". The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a tweet extended his condolences, “My deep condolences on the deaths of Indian Chief of Defense Staff General Rawat, his wife, and colleagues who perished in today’s tragic accident. We'll remember General Rawat as an exceptional leader who served his country and contributed to the US-India defense relationship”.
In a statement, the US envoy to India hailed Rawat as a “strong friend and partner of the United States” and expressed his condolences at his demise. “The US Embassy extends its deepest condolences to the Rawat family and the families of those who perished in the tragic helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu. As India’s first Chief of Defense Staff, General Rawat spearheaded a historic period of transformation in the Indian military. He was a strong friend and partner of the United States, overseeing a major expansion of India’s defense cooperation with the US military,” the statement said.
The Russian envoy to India Nikolay Kudashev said he was grieving with India at this time of crisis. “With deepest regret I learnt about the sudden demise of General Bipin Rawat, Mrs. Madhulika Rawat and 11 other officers in the helicopter crash today. India has lost its great patriot and dedicated hero”. The British High Commissioner, Mr. Alex W. Ellis tweeted “Tragic news. Gen Rawat was a wise man, a brave soldier, a pioneer and a generous host to me only weeks ago. We mourn his death and that of his wife, and all killed in this terrible accident”.
The Japanese envoy to India, Satoshi Suzuki tweeted “Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defense Staff, his wife and 11 Armed Forces personnel in an unfortunate accident. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members of the people killed in the accident”. The former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted “I was deeply saddened to learn about the deadly helicopter crash that killed India's Chief of Defense Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others in Tamil Nadu. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. May they rest in peace”.
I hope and request the Modi Government to grant a Param Vir Chakra and a Bharat Ratna. I hope one of the streets in Delhi named after the invaders be renamed after such martyrs. I sure hope to see the CDS Bipin Rawat Street. Om Shanti, may your soul rest in peace. You were a true son of Bharat Ma. Vandemataram.
