Several Indian film celebrities, national leaders, and prominent personalities paid their respects to the late General Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, who died in a helicopter crash near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday. Rawat was 63.
The bodies of the dead will be brought to Delhi on Thursday and the funeral will be held on Friday. Rawat’s final rites will be held with military honours.
The Indian Air Force which confirmed the death of Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other persons who were on board, said that Rawat was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Nilgiri Hills to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course on Wednesday. The lone survivor of the crash, Group Captain Varun Singh, is currently undertaking treatment at a military hospital in Wellington, it added.
An Indian military officer belonging to the four-star general of the Indian Army, Rawat served as the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces from January 2020 until the time of his death. Rawat, known to be a “tough soldier and an inspiring commander” was the top student at the time of his military training. He was also awarded the “Sword of Honour” at the National Defence College and the Indian Military Academy. In 1978, he joined his father’s military unit, 11 Gorkha Rifles.
Following Rawat’s untimely demise, several film personalities, national leaders, sportsmen, among others, condoled his death on social media.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Rawat an “outstanding soldier” and “true patriot” and added that he contributed to “modernising armed forces and security apparatus”. “His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti,” he wrote.
Ramnath Kovind, India’s President mourned Rawat’s death and called it an “untimely demise”. “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,” he wrote and extended his condolences to bereaving families.
“As India’s first CDS, Gen Rawat worked on diverse aspects relating to our armed forces including defence reforms. He brought with him a rich experience of serving in the Army. India will never forget his exceptional service,” Modi added.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Union Defence Minister Rajanath Singh, athlete Neeraj Chopra, former cricketer VVS Laxman, among others condoled his death on social media. Stalin also visited the mortal remains of Rawat and paid his last respects
Hindi actor Salman Khan wrote on Twitter, “Very sad to hear of the tragic crash in which we have lost Gen Bipin Rawat his wife and other personnel from the Armed forces. My thoughts my prayers and condolences are with the bereaved families …”
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Posting a few photos of himself with Rawat, actor Anupam Kher reminisced the times spent with him and said that the latter had “amazing audacity and unfathomable love for the country”.
Malayalam industry’s top stars, Mammootty and Mohanlal, also paid their tributes. Calling Rawat as India’s “most extraordinarily brilliant army officers” that country has witnessed, Mohanla lsaid his demise as an “irreplaceable loss”.
He added, “His valuable contributions and acts of utmost prudence have always been assets to the nation. It’s with inexplicable despair that I along with my family join the country to mourn the loss of this great army man, his wife and other soldiers.”
Others who expressed grief include actors Pawan Kalyan, Kamal Haasan, Akshay Kumar, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Siddharth, Tamannaah Bhatia, Ajay Devgn, Udhaynidhi Stalin, among the others.