General Bipin Rawat- Story of a Legend
-Madhushekhar Mallarapu
CDS General Bipin Rawat is a true patriot. Until his death, he worked for his nation. This is his journey until the end. This nation will never forget.
India is a country with a rich cultural heritage and glorious history of thousands of years. In those years, As a country, India has witnessed many wars and each war has a unique story and warriors who later became a legend. Sacrificing yourself for your country without expecting anything back is not something everyone can do.
People need hearts made of steel to face death. Only a few people can have it. India has many of them who fought for their motherland and sacrificed themselves. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Indian armed forces, General Bipin Rawat was one such person who worked for the Indian Armed forces to serve his nation.
Early Life
General Bipin Rawat was born in Pauri town of Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand state on 16th March 1958. His family was serving in the Indian armed forces for many generations. General Rawat’s father Lakshman Singh Rawat (1930-2015) had worked in Gorkha Rifles. General Rawat had attended Cambrian Hall School in Dehradun and St. Edward's School in Shimla.
Later he attended the National Defense Academy, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. General Rawat also studied at Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, and the Higher Command Course at the United States Army Command and General Staff College (USACGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1997.
Career
CDS Bipin Rawat with his peers
On 16th December 1978, he was commissioned into the 5th battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles. General Rawat had much experience in high altitude mountain warfare in the armed forces and also faced the Indo-china faceoff along the disputed McMahon Line. Later he was promoted to the rank of brigadier, he commanded 5 Sector of Rashtriya Rifles in Sopore.
He participated in the UN mission in Congo to save the lives of innocent people.
Later he was promoted to major general and commanded Uri. He also commanded other missions including Myanmar strikes, surgical strikes, etc. In 2016, he was appointed as 27th Chief of the Army Staff. In 2020 January he was appointed as India’s first Chief of Defence staff.
Unexpected Tragedy
On 8th December 2021, General Rawat along with his wife Madhulika Rawat and 12 other staff were traveling in a Mi-17 helicopter from the Sulur Airforce base to the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington. There General had to give a lecture. After sometime around 12:10 pm, the helicopter crashed at the outskirts of the hamlet of Nanjappachatiram, Bandishola panchayat, in the Katteri-Nanchappanchathram area of Coonoor taluk, Nilgiris district. 13 members died along with General Rawat and his wife. The entire nation was under shock after listening to the incident. Many people from all over the world paid their condolences to CDS Bipin Rawat. The entire country mourned over this tragic incident. CDS Bipin Rawat's cremation along with his wife and other staff members with armed forces tradition took place at Brar Square, New Delhi on 10 December 2021. Thousands of people attended.
Awards and Honors
During his career Chief Bipin Rawat had been awarded many medals and badges. They include Param Vishisht Seva Medal Uttam Yudh Seva Meda, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal. These are only the tip of the iceberg when compared with his all achievements.
Soldiers like General Bipin Rawat are very rare and their contributions to the nation are unmatched. And Indian armed forces need more of them. The people of India are indebted to his work for the nation.
