A file picture of CDS General Bipin Rawat

The sudden demise of CDS, ex COAS General Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board who have died in the unfortunate accident have left us in dismay and state of shock. Though people were aghast with the news of helicopter crash in the afternoon, but were hopeful. Lest, the official announcement by the Defense Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh of the departure has left the nation mourning.

Gen. Bipin Rawat, India’s first CDS, was a visionary who initiated far reaching reforms in Indian military’s higher defence org. He was instrumental in creating foundation of India’s joint theatre commands&giving impetus to increased indigenisation of military equipment. He served as the 27th Chief of Army Staff for the Indian Army, which is the highest ranking position in the force.Days after the government announced the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) post, retiring Army chief, General Bipin Rawat, was on December 30 appointed the first tri-service chief with effect from December 31, 2019.

General Bipin Rawat was the first sitting Chief of Army Staff to be appointed to the top post. The government had initially amended the Army rules to extend the age of superannuation from 62 years to 65 years, paving the way for the appointment.

He was also be the permanent Chief of Staff Committee (COSC).General Bipin Rawat had taken over the reins of the Indian Army from General Dalbir Singh Suhag on December 17, 2016, as the 27th Chief of Army Staff (COAS). An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Rawat was commissioned into the Indian Army in December 1978 in the same unit as his father, the fifth battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifles.

The first CDS was a veteran of counterinsurgency warfare and has served in some of the most difficult terrains of India, including the northern and eastern commands. 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.

Gen 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.

General Rawat was born in Pauri, Uttarakhand on March 16, 1958. He attended the Cambrian Hall School, Dehradun and St. Edwards School, Shimla. He later attended the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.He went on to attent the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun where he was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’. Following his father’s footsteps, General Rawat rose to the highest rank in the Indian Army. His father, Lt General Lakshman Singh Rawat, retired as the Vice Chief of Army Staff in 1988.General Bipin Rawat was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy by Chaudary Charan Singh.

Goodbye commander!

Warriors do not travel by sleeping on the bed! That’s how they get martyrdom. Salute to your life journey. Salute to your bravery!

The nation will always remain grateful to you and will always be proud of its brave son!

ऊँ शांति ।।

DISCLAIMER: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The author carries the responsibility for citing and/or licensing of images utilized within the text.