It is with great grief and shock Nation learnt the untimely passing away of its gallant son, the most decorated Army Commander- Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat in an air accident on 8.12.2021. During his career of over 40 years, he was awarded for gallantry and distinguished service with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, the COAS Commendation on two occasions and the Army Commander’s Commendation. General Bipin Laxman Singh Rawat PVSM UYSM AVSM YSM SM VSM ADC is no more.
India’s CDS died in an IAF aircraft crash that took place on Wednesday near Coonoor in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu. Around noon yesterday - an IAF Mi 17 V5 helicopter with a crew of 4 members carrying the CDS and 9 other passengers met with a tragic accident near Coonoor, TN. Very sadly, Brigadier L.S. Lidder, Lieutenant Colonel H. Singh, Wing Commander P.S. Chauhan, Squadron Leader K. Singh, Junior Warrant Officer (JWO) Das, JWO Pradeep A., Havildar Satpal, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitender, Lance Naik Vivek and Lance Naik S. Teja were the other defence personnel killed in the crash. General Bipin Rawat's wife Madhulika Rawat also died in the helicopter crash.
The Mi-17V5 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 and reconnaissance teams. Equipped with modern avionics, the helicopter is capable of operating in any geographical and climatic conditions, day and night, along with adverse weather situations. The helicopter was flying from Sulur Airbase to Wellington. 14 personnel were on board.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, President Ramnath Kovind, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condoled the demise of CDS Bipin Rawat. Paying rich tributes to Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was an "outstanding soldier and a true patriot".
The US Embassy here extended its deepest condolences to the Rawat family and the families of those who perished in the crash. As India's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Rawat spearheaded a historic period of transformation in the Indian military, the US mission said in a statement. Russian Envoy to India Nikolay Kudashev said with the deepest regret, he learnt about the sudden demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat and other officers in the crash. Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell expressed the deepest sympathies to the families of Rawat and others on the helicopter.
Group Captain Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC, who was also on board, is currently undergoing treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington and later taken to Bengaluru, said the IAF.
At Thiruvallikkeni – Hindu Munnani alongwith other Hindu organizations organized anjali to the departed Army Head and staff. Moksha dweepam was lit – hundreds of people participated and paid homage to Commaner Bipin Rawat and other army staff who passed away.
Om Shanthi !
Here are some photos and a video of the homage organized by Hindu
Munnani
9th Dec 2021.
Feeling very sad. Om Santhi.
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