- Saturday, April 20, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
BIPIN Rawat, the chief of India’s defence staff, and his wife Madhulika were killed along with many other personnel in a helicopter crash on Wednesday (8), the country’s air force said. The tragedy took place in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
“With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident,” the air force said on Twitter.
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With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021
While 13 out of 14 of those who on board the helicopter died in the accident, Group Captain Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), was the sole survivor and was undergoing treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington, the air force added in another tweet.
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Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021
Indian president Ram Nath Kovind reacted to the tragic news saying, “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.”
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.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 8, 2021
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi expressed on Twitter his shock over the demise of the veteran army leader who had served as the chief of the Indian Army between 2016 and 2019 and took over as India’s first chief of the defence staff on January 1, 2020.
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In a tweet, he said, “I am deeply anguished by the helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in which we have lost Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces. They served India with utmost diligence. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.”
I am deeply anguished by the helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in which we have lost Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces. They served India with utmost diligence. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2021
In another tweet in which he posted a picture of him with the late Rawat, Modi said, “Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti.”
Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/YOuQvFT7Et
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2021
Rawat, 63, was going to deliver a lecture at the DSSC in Wellington in Tamil Nadu when the accident took place. The Indian Air Force’s Mi-17V5 helicopter crashed in a forest area in Coonoor in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu while flying from Sulur air force base in Coimbatore to DSSC.
Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh, who was monitoring the situation post the crash and briefed Modi about it, said on Twitter, “Deeply anguished by the sudden demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel in an extremely unfortunate helicopter accident today in Tamil Nadu.
“His untimely death is an irreparable loss to our Armed Forces and the country.”
Deeply anguished by the sudden demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel in an extremely unfortunate helicopter accident today in Tamil Nadu.
His untimely death is an irreparable loss to our Armed Forces and the country.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 8, 2021
Indian home minister Amit Shah tweeted, “A very sad day for the nation as we have lost our CDS, General Bipin Rawat Ji in a very tragic accident. He was one of the bravest soldiers, who has served the motherland with utmost devotion. His exemplary contributions & commitment cannot be put into words. I am deeply pained.”
A very sad day for the nation as we have lost our CDS, General Bipin Rawat Ji in a very tragic accident. He was one of the bravest soldiers, who has served the motherland with utmost devotion. His exemplary contributions & commitment cannot be put into words. I am deeply pained.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 8, 2021
Rahul Gandhi, former president of the Indian National Congress, one of India’s major opposition parties, said, “I extend my condolences to the family of Gen Bipin Rawat and his wife. This is an unprecedented tragedy and our thoughts are with their family in this difficult time. Heartfelt condolences also to all others who lost their lives. India stands united in this grief.”
I extend my condolences to the family of Gen Bipin Rawat and his wife.
This is an unprecedented tragedy and our thoughts are with their family in this difficult time.
Heartfelt condolences also to all others who lost their lives.India stands united in this grief.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 8, 2021
British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis condoled the death of Rawat tweeting, “Tragic news. Gen Rawat was a wise man, a brave soldier, a pioneer & a generous host to me only weeks ago. We mourn his death and that of his wife, and all killed in this terrible accident.”
Tragic news. Gen Rawat was a wise man, a brave soldier, a pioneer & a generous host to me only weeks ago. We mourn his death and that of his wife, and all killed in this terrible accident.
— Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) December 8, 2021
