biography of general bipin rawat

• Bihar Board

SRM University

Karnataka puc result.

• AP Board Results 2024
• UP Board Result 2024
• CBSE Board Result 2024
• MP Board Result 2024
• Rajasthan Board Result 2024
• Karnataka Board Result
• Shiv Khera Special
• Education News
• Web Stories
• Current Affairs
• नए भारत का नया उत्तर प्रदेश
• School & Boards
• College Admission
• Govt Jobs Alert & Prep
• GK & Aptitude
• general knowledge

CDS Bipin Rawat Biography: Birth, Age, Death, Family, Education, Military Career, Last Rites and More

Cds bipin rawat biography: general bipin rawat was the first cds of india who was killed in an iaf chopper mi-17v5 crash on 8 december 2021 in tamil nadu's coonoor, along with his wife madhulika rawat and staff. 13 out of the 14 members aboard the chopper have been declared dead. the indian army has positively identified cds rawat, his wife, and brig lidder who were laid to rest on 10 december 2021. the remaining 10 bodies will be kept in the mortuary of the army base hospital till positive identification is completed. a tri-service inquiry led by air chief marshal manavendra singh has been ordered into the case and the black box has been retrieved. at this sad unfortunate moment, take a look at the life of cds bipin rawat. .

CDS Bipin Rawat Biography: IAF chopper Mi-17V5 crashed in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor with CDS Bipin Rawat, wife Madhulika Rawat and 12 other persons aboard.  

13 out of the 14 members aboard the chopper have been declared dead. The Indian Army has so far positively identified CDS Rawat, his wife, and Brig Lidder. The remaining 10 bodies will be kept in the mortuary of the Army Base Hospital till positive identification is completed. 

CDS General Bipin Rawat was accorded a 17-gun salute at his funeral where 800 military personnel were in attendance. Brigadier Lidder was also laid to rest with full military honours today. General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat are survived by their daughters Kritika and Tarini and Brigadier Lidder is survived by his wife and daughter. 

The health condition of Group Captain Varun Singh, the sole survivor of the tragic crash, is critical. He is on life support at the Command Hospital in Bengaluru. He was taken to the Sulur Air Base from where he was airlifted to Bengaluru. 

A tri-service inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. It will be led by Air Chief Marshal Manavendra Singh. The black box of the ill-fated IAF helicopter has been retrieved. 

#WATCH | Final moments of Mi-17 chopper carrying CDS Bipin Rawat and 13 others before it crashed near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu yesterday (Video Source: Locals present near accident spot) pic.twitter.com/jzdf0lGU5L — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2021

Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course today. — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021

An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021

CDS Bipin Rawat: Birth, Early Life, and Education

Birth and Family: Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat was born in Pauri, Uttarakhand. His father, Laxman Singh Rawat, served the Indian Army and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General. His mother was the daughter of an ex-MLA from Uttrakhand's Uttarkashi. 

Education: He received his formal education at Cambrian Hall School in Dehradun and the St. Edward's School, Shimla and went on to join the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where he was honoured with the 'Sword of Honour'.

He was also a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington and the Higher Command Course at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

CDS Bipin Rawat: Military Career

On 16 December 1978, CDS Bipin Rawat was commissioned into the 5th battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles , the same unit as his father Laxman Singh Rawat. He spent 10 years conducting counter-insurgency operations and served on various ranging from Major to current CDS.  

While serving on the post of Major , CDS Bipin Rawat commanded a company in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri. He commanded his battalion along the LAC at Kibithu as a Colonel . After getting promoted to the rank of Brigadier , he commanded 5 Sector of Rashtriya Rifles in Sopore and multinational Brigade in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), where he was honoured twice with the Force Commander’s Commendation.

Bipin Rawat took over as the General Officer Commanding 19th Infantry Division in Uri when he was promoted to the rank of Major General . As a Lieutenant General , he commanded III Corps, headquartered in Dimapur before taking over the Southern Army in Pune.

He assumed the post of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Southern Command after being promoted to the Army Commander grade. After a short stint, he was promoted to the post of Vice Chief of Army Staff. 

CDS Bipin Rawat: Awards 

During his career that spanned over 40 years, CDS General Bipin Rawat received many medals and honours for gallantry and distinguished service. These are mentioned below: 

1- Param Vishisht Seva Medal

2- Uttam Yudh Seva Medal

3- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

4- Yudh Seva Medal   

5- Sena Medal    

6- Vishisht Seva Medal

7- Wound Medal    

8- Samanya Seva Medal    

9- Special Service Medal    

10- Operation Parakram Medal

11- Sainya Seva Medal    

12- High Altitude Service Medal    

13- Videsh Seva Medal  

14- 50th Anniversary of Independence Medal

15- 30 Years Long Service Medal    

16- 20 Years Long Service Medal  

17-  9 Years Long Service Medal    

CDS Bipin Rawat Death 

Timeline of the event: iaf chopper crash.

1- CDS General Bipin Rawat was on a scheduled visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington to interact with the Student Officers.

2- The IAF Mi 17 V5 helicopter took off from Sulur Air Base at 11:48 am on 8 December 2021 and was expected to land at Wellington by 12:15 pm.

3- At approximately 12:08 pm, Air Traffic Control at Sulur Air Base lost contact with the chopper.

4- Thereafter, a few locals spotted a fire in the forest near Coonoor and rushed to the spot.

5- The locals saw the wreckage of a military helicopter engulfed in flames.

6- Rescue teams from the local administration in the vicinity reached the site and attempted to recover the survivors from the crash site.

7- All those recovered from the wreckage were rushed to the Military Hospital, Wellington.

8- Out of the total 14 persons aboard the ill-fated helicopter, 13 have succumbed to their injuries.

9- Group Captain Varun Singh is the sole survivor of the tragic crash. His condition is critical but stable. 

10- The mortal remains of the 13 people will be brought to Delhi by today evening for last rites. 

Also Read | CDS Bipin Rawat's helicopter crashed in Tamil Nadu: Check the list of people aboard and their designations

Get here current GK and GK quiz questions in English and Hindi for India , World, Sports and Competitive exam preparation. Download the Jagran Josh Current Affairs App .

• IPL Schedule 2024
• Surya Grahan 2024
• Eid 2024 Chand Raat
• Eid 2024 Date in India
• IPL 2024 Points Table
• Navratri Colours 2024
• Gudi Padwa 2024
• Happy Navratri
• 2nd PUC Result 2024
• GK for State PSC
• GK for UPSC
• GK for Banking

Latest Education News

Today’s IPL Match (5 April) - SRH vs CSK: Team Squad, Match Time, Where to Watch Live and Stadium

Today’s IPL Match (4 April) - GT vs PBKS: Team Squad, Match Time, Where to Watch Live and Stadium

Who Won Yesterday IPL Match: PBKS vs SRH, Match 23, Check All Details and Latest Points Table

Eid Moon Sighting 2024 Today: When the Crescent Moon will be visible in Saudi Arabia and India? Check the Timings Here!

Eid al fitr 2024: भारत सहित सऊदी, यूएई और ईरान जैसे देशों में कब होगा चांद का दीदार, नोट करें टाइम

IPL Points Table 2024: आईपीएल 2024 अपडेटेड पॉइंट टेबल यहां देखें

2nd PUC Result 2024 Karnataka Live: Press Conference to Announce KSEAB Class 12th Results at 10 AM, Link Active at 11 AM, How to Check Online

IPL Orange Cap 2024: दिलचस्प हो गयी है ऑरेंज कैप की रेस, ये युवा बल्लेबाज रेस में है शामिल

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024 Tomorrow, Link After 11 AM

[Official] Karnataka 2nd PUC Result Date and Time Released: Check Notice for KSEAB Class 12th Results Here

JEE Main Analysis 2024 (April 9) Shift 1, 2: Check Subject-Wise Paper Analysis, Difficulty Level, Questions Asked 

JEE Main Session 2 (April 9) Aakash Answer Key 2024: Download Shift 1 and Shift 2 Answer Key FREE PDF

JEE Main Session 2 Question Paper 2024 Memory Based: Check Question Paper with Solutions April 9

Eid 2024: Is Eid al-Fitr on April 10 or 11 in India? Check the Date and Moon Sighting Timings Here

Board Result 2024 Date LIVE: UP, MP, JAC, CGBSE, UK और CBSE बोर्ड के परिणामों पर लेटेस्ट अपडेट

UP Board Result 2024: अप्रैल में इस तारीख को आ सकता है यूपी बोर्ड हाईस्कूल इंटर का रिजल्ट, results.Upmsp.edu.in पर मिलेगी ताजा अपडेट

Vande Bharat Sleeper Coach: Top 7 Features of this Futuristic Coach

Karnataka Board 2nd PUC Result 2024: Check KSEAB Second Pre University Result Link at karresults.nic.in

Karnataka Board Result 2024: Check KSEAB Result Link at karresults.nic.in

JEE Main Session 2 Answer Key 2024 (April 9) by Resonance: Check Shift 1, 2 Answer Key with Solutions

• Environment
• Road to Net Zero
• Art & Design
• Film & TV
• Music & On-stage
• Pop Culture
• Fashion & Beauty
• Home & Garden
• Things to do
• Combat Sports
• Horse Racing
• Beyond the Headlines
• Trending Middle East
• Business Extra
• Culture Bites
• Year of Elections
• Pocketful of Dirhams
• Books of My Life
• Iraq: 20 Years On

Who was General Bipin Rawat, the Indian army chief killed in helicopter crash?

The chief of defence staff, 63, was once shot by pakistan troops and had survived an earlier air crash.

People light candles to pay their respect to defence chief Gen Bipin Rawat in Siliguri on December 8, 2021 after reports of a helicopter crash in which he and his wife were among 13 casualties. AFP

India’s first chief of defence staff General Bipin Rawat , his wife and 11 military officials died on Wednesday in a helicopter crash in the hills of Nilgiris, in southern Tamil Nadu state.

Gen Rawat, 63 , was once shot by Pakistani troops as a young officer and had survived a helicopter crash in 2016.

He was appointed India’s first chief of defence staff in December 2019, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi created the post to bring synergy to the Indian armed forces.

Who was General Bipin Rawat?

Gen Rawat was born in March 1958 into a military family from Pauri in Himalayan Uttarakhand state with four generations of service to the country. His father retired from the army as a lieutenant general.

An alumnus of National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, Gen Rawat was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1978 and climbed the military hierarchy to become the chief of the 1.3 million strong army in 2017.

He was known for his plain speaking about friends and adversaries and stirred controversy with his comments on Kashmir, China and India’s domestic politics.

But he was popular among the ranks and considered as a “soldier’s general” for his unflinching dedication to the armed forces as he led the mission to modernise India's military.

As a young officer he served along India’s tense borders with Pakistan and China and was shot by Pakistani soldiers during a clash along the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region. This earned him the Indian Army’s Wound Medal.

Gen Rawat is credited for reducing insurgency in India’s north-eastern states where a decades-long rebellion had left tens of thousands dead.

People gather outside the residence of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat in New Delhi. A helicopter carrying him, his wife and several top military officials crashed in the hills of south India, killing 13 people on board, including the top official, the country's air force said. EPA

He also commanded India's first “surgical strike” in 2015, raiding training camps of anti-Indian insurgent groups inside Myanmar.

A year later, he survived a helicopter crash, after it nose-dived moments after take-off.

Gen Rawat was also part of the UN Peacekeeping Force and had commanded a multinational brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In 2016, he was involved in planning operations in which the Indian troops crossed into Pakistan-controlled Kashmir to “avenge” the killing of 19 soldiers in an extremist attack on an army base camp in Uri.

Why was General Rawat considered controversial?

India's stand-off with China at Doklam, on the Line of Actual Control along their disputed border, also took place under his watch.

He was known to be close to Mr Modi, a Hindu nationalist politician, and his tenure as army chief coincided with a more muscular policy against Pakistan.

But Gen Rawat often ruffled the feathers with his statements on issues considered outside the domain of the traditionally apolitical Indian armed forces.

He courted controversy with criticism of the protests over the Citizenship Amendment Bill, which offered Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities except for Muslims from neighbouring Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

India's armed forces chief killed in helicopter crash

He once he remarked that Indians should be as afraid of their armed forces as India’s adversaries and lamented that protesters in Kashmir were only throwing stones on his soldiers rather than using weapons that could have allowed his troops to retaliate in an appropriate manner.

Gen Rawat also described migration from Bangladesh into India's Assam state as Dhaka seeking settler colonialism and recently voiced approval of “lynching as a positive way of dealing with terrorists” in Jammu and Kashmir.

He had termed China's growing ties with the Islamic world as the “clash of civilisations” against the West and only last month attracted criticism from the Chinese government for saying that Beijing was the biggest threat to India.

Who was General Rawat's wife?

Gen Rawat’s wife Dr Madhulika Rawat was president of the Army Wives Welfare Association, one of the largest non-government organisations working for the welfare of wives, children and dependents of army personnel.

The daughter of a politician from a royal background, Dr Gupta organised many welfare programmes and campaigns for army widows, children with disabilities and cancer patients.

The couple married in 1986 and are survived by two daughters. One lives in Mumbai and the other was living with her parents.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

India’s Top Military General Dies in Helicopter Crash

Gen. Bipin Rawat, who was killed along with his wife and 11 others on board, was in charge of overhauling a military that has struggled to modernize.

By Suhasini Raj and Mujib Mashal

NEW DELHI — Gen. Bipin Rawat, India’s highest-ranking military official, leading efforts to modernize the country’s armed forces, died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday along with his wife and 11 others, officials said.

His death was confirmed in a statement by the country’s defense minister, Rajnath Singh, after hours of uncertainty, as senior officials rushed to the crash site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and the victims were taken to a nearby hospital. Video footage showed the wreckage in a forested slope, with rescue workers trying to douse the flames.

The loss of General Rawat, who as the chief of defense staff coordinated the various wings of India’s armed forces, comes at a particularly strained moment as India’s military finds itself stretched by threats on two of its borders as well as the impact of a slowing economy.

In addition to the constant war-footing with India’s arch enemy, Pakistan, tens of thousands of reinforcement troops remain in high altitudes in the Himalayas for a second winter after deadly skirmishes with Chinese forces last year.

Tributes poured in for General Rawat, 63, soon after his death was announced.

“A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernizing our armed forces and security apparatus,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. “India will never forget his exceptional service.”

The Indian Air Force, in a statement, said General Rawat had been on his way to the Defense Services Staff College in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, to address the faculty and students when his helicopter went down near Coonoor, a hill station in the state, around noon local time. There was only one survivor among the nine passengers and four crew members, the statement said.

The Air Force has announced that an inquiry was underway, and that the country’s air chief had flown to the crash site. Experts said nothing about the incident raised immediate red flags; the flight path, just about 50 miles, was a routine one for the Mi-17 V5 helicopter that General Rawat was traveling in.

“I reached the crash site shortly after 12:30 p.m.,” Deepak Manobala, a village administrative officer in Coonoor, said in a phone interview. “Locals around the site heard a huge blast, and then fire and smoke emanated from the site of crash. All I could see was smoke and the tail of the aircraft, which was the only visible part.”

General Rawat was born to a military family in the northern state of Uttarakhand. His career included leadership roles in the country’s restive northeast, which has a long history of Maoist insurgency, as well as United Nations peacekeeping missions abroad. He rose to the position of army chief in 2016, and was elevated to the newly created post of chief of the defense staff in 2019.

He was seen as a counter insurgency expert, and close to Mr. Modi. But his comments and conduct at times stirred controversy.

As army chief, he awarded a commendation letter to an officer who had tied a civilian to the front of his car in the disputed Kashmir region as a human shield to get through stone pelting.

Last month, as tensions in Kashmir went up after a wave of assassinations by militants , General Rawat told a gathering that locals in Kashmir were saying they would “lynch the terrorists.” He called that “a very positive sign.”

As the coordinator of the various wings of the Indian military and the principal uniformed adviser to the government, General Rawat had the task of overhauling and streamlining an Indian military that has struggled to modernize . Recent clashes with Pakistan and China have again raised concerns about the state of India’s military equipment in the face of the two-pronged threat on its borders.

India’s preparedness for the possibility of a two-front war has long been marred by a chronic shortage of money. In 2020, India spent about $73 billion on its military, compared with China’s $252 billion. About three quarters of the country’s defense expenditure goes to routine costs, from pensions to sustainment of force, leaving little for investment in modernization.

General Rawat had the difficult task of optimizing the resources when it was clear that the slowing economy would not afford the military a major increase in budget. He set out on a plan to unify the different wings of the armed forces into commands that could avoid duplication of resources.

While General Rawat’s demise creates a vacuum, analysts said it was unlikely to significantly affect the larger reform efforts that Mr. Modi has put his political weight behind.

There is “a momentum which goes beyond individuals,” said Ajai Shukla, a defense analyst based in New Delhi. “General Rawat was hired to do that in the best possible manner, but his death will not stop that momentum.”

Suhasini Raj has worked for over a decade as an investigative journalist with Indian and international news outlets. Based in the New Delhi bureau, she joined The Times in 2014. More about Suhasini Raj

Mujib Mashal is The New York Times Bureau Chief for South Asia. Born in Kabul, he wrote for magazines such as The Atlantic, Harper’s, Time and others before joining The Times. More about Mujib Mashal

• India Today
• Business Today
• Reader’s Digest
• Harper's Bazaar
• Brides Today
• Cosmopolitan
• Aaj Tak Campus
• India Today Hindi

RIP General Bipin Rawat: India's first CDS, Gorkha Regiment officer with surgical strike, Myanmar mission on CV

General rawat, as india's first chief of defence staff, was the single-point advisor to the government on matters related to the military..

Listen to Story

INDIA'S FIRST CDS

General Bipin Rawat became the first officer of the Indian armed forces to hold the post of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in 2019. The post was newly created as part of the government’s efforts to restructure India’s armed forces to meet present-day challenges.

General Bipin Rawat was named CDS just a day before he was to retire as the Indian Army chief, a position that he held for a full three-year term.

General Bipin Rawat was an officer from the Gorkha Regiment. General Rawat was the fourth officer from the Gorkha Regiment to become the Chief of Army Staff.

JOURNEY FROM NDA TO IMA TO INDIA'S TOP ARMY OFFICER

General Bipin Rawat was an alumnus of Shimla’s St Edward School before joining the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla in Maharashtra. He trained at the Indian Military Academy in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun. General Bipin Rawat commanded an infantry battalion along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that separates India’s position from the Chinese in the Eastern Sector. He also commanded an infantry division in the Kashmir Valley and a corps in the Northeast.

General Rawat was appointed the Chief of Army Staff on December 31, 2016. A four-star military officer, General Rawat was appointed the Chief of Defence Staff on December 30, 2019.

A DECORATED MILITARY CAREER

General Rawat spent four decades in service holding positions of 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 was also part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force (UNPF) and commanded a multinational brigade in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Among his career highlights were playing an instrumental role in containing insurgency in the Northeast, supervising 2015 cross-border operation in Myanmar and monitoring the 2016 surgical strikes.

In 2015, the Indian Army successfully responded to an ambush by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) militants. General Rawat had supervised the mission that had been conducted III-Corps.

Top Trending Stories

Download App

Advertisement

• Indian Armed Forces /

Remembering India’s first CDS, General Bipin Rawat and his vision of theaterisation

Updated December 8th, 2023 at 14:38 IST

From early military career contributions to transformative role as CDS, Gen Rawat's vision for integrated armed forces lives on.

• Listen to this article

In a poignant moment that echoes through the corridors of India's military history, the nation once again reflects on the life and legacy of General Bipin Rawat, the distinguished four-star general and India's inaugural Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Two years have passed since the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of General Rawat, his wife, and members of his staff, yet the indelible mark he left on the Indian Armed Forces endures.

General Bipin Rawat's legacy lives on in the ongoing efforts to implement the structural changes he championed. The creation of theatre commands, a concept he ardently endorsed, remains a work in progress, reflecting his enduring influence on India's defence architecture.

Military career rooted in strategic contributions and operational excellence

General Bipin Rawat, born on March 16, 1958, in Pauri, Uttarakhand, hailed from a military lineage. His father, Lieutenant General Lakshman Singh Rawat, set the stage for a career that would span over four decades. Commissioned into the 5th battalion, the 11 Gorkha Rifles, on December 16, 1978, the young officer embarked on a journey that would shape the future of India's military leadership.

Educated at the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, General Rawat's early career included a significant chapter during the 1987 Sino-Indian skirmish in the Sumdorong Chu valley, where his battalion confronted the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

General Rawat's rise through the ranks was marked by strategic contributions and operational excellence. After instructional duties at the Indian Military Academy, he gained extensive experience in high-altitude warfare and counter-insurgency operations. His leadership roles included commanding a company in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, and later, the 5th battalion, the 11 Gorkha Rifles, along the Line of Actual Control at Kibithu.   

The trajectory of General Rawat's career ascended to higher echelons as he assumed the role of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command in 2016. Prior to this, he played a pivotal role as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff and Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee from September to December 2019.   

Architect of military transformation as CDS

#IndianArmy congratulates General Bipin Rawat on being appointed as the first Chief of the Defence Staff #CDS of the country. It is a proud & historical moment. The appointment would bring in enhanced #Synergy #Jointness #Interoperability in the Armed forces. pic.twitter.com/xEX919BFNW — ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 30, 2019

January 1, 2020, marked a historic moment for the Indian Armed Forces with the appointment of General Bipin Rawat as the first Chief of Defence Staff. In this transformative role, he spearheaded initiatives aimed at enhancing jointness and integration among the three services. General Rawat's vision included the creation of theatre commands to optimize military capabilities and streamline operations, a paradigm shift in India's defence structure.

The Chief of Defence Staff serves as the professional head and permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) of the Indian Armed Forces. Holding the highest-ranking uniformed position in the military, the CDS functions as the chief military adviser to the Minister of Defence. Additionally, the CDS leads the Department of Military Affairs, a crucial component overseeing military strategy and coordination.

The role was conceived to improve coordination, tri-service effectiveness, and overall integration of combat capabilities across the armed forces. Meanwhile, the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) plays a pivotal role in fostering coordination and prioritization across various branches of the Indian Armed Forces. Comprising representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Ministry of External Affairs, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Finance, the IDS ensures seamless collaboration.   

The Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, along with Deputy Chiefs, leads the IDS, contributing to strategic decision-making and coordination. The establishment of the Chief of Defence Staff and the IDS underscores India's commitment to bolstering its defence capabilities through enhanced integration and strategic coordination.   

Tragic end in helicopter crash   

On December 8, 2021, tragedy struck as General Rawat, along with his wife and members of his staff, met with a fatal accident. The Indian Air Force Mil Mi-17 helicopter they were aboard crashed near Coonoor, Nilgiris district, en route from Sulur Air Force Base to the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. The crash site, tragically, was a mere 10 kilometres from the intended destination.

General MM Naravane #COAS & All Ranks of #IndianArmy pay heartfelt condolences on the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat #CDS , Mrs Madhulika Rawat & 11 other passengers on board, in an unfortunate air crash at #Coonoor . (1/n) pic.twitter.com/sc6bmFodXJ — ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 8, 2021

The aftermath saw the Indian military and the nation mourning the loss of a visionary leader. Group Captain Varun Singh, General Rawat's liaison officer, initially survived the incident but succumbed to injuries on December 15, 2021.   

As the nation observes the 2nd anniversary of General Rawat's passing, the solemn ceremonies and tributes serve as a poignant reminder of a leader whose contributions transcended his lifetime. The tricolour that draped his final resting place at Brar Square Crematorium in Delhi Cantonment on December 10, 2021, symbolized a nation's gratitude for a lifetime of service. India continues to honour General Bipin Rawat, not just in remembrance but in the commitment to fulfil the vision he had for a stronger, integrated, and resolute armed forces.  

Published December 8th, 2023 at 14:18 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Recommended

Raj Thackeray Declares 'Unconditional Support' For PM Modi, BJP

How Do Fenugreek Seeds Promote Hair Growth?

Man Sues 50 Women For Calling Him A Bad Date In California

Dinesh Karthik names India star he had UNPLEASANT relationship with

Will 'Kingpin' Kejriwal Get Relief Like Sanjay Singh? How Things Stand

Trending Quicks

Tanveer Ahmed

Who is Nitish Reddy?

IPL 2024: Points Table

Pak ISI Tale Crash Lands

Amit Shah-Thackeray Meet

Miller could be back

#BJPInTamilNadu

Lok Sabha Polls

Chennaiyin beat NEUFC

Arizona 1864 Abortion

Srh beat pbks by 2 runs.

Famous Delhi Temples

Best Survival Movies

Time Travel Anime Movies

Horror K-Dramas List

Backpacking Trips Options

Michigan School Shooter

Dhanush-Aishwaryaa Split

Republic top 5.

'He is the BEST. CAN'T understand why he NEVER plays World Cup': Sehwag

Badshah Touches Feet Of A Younger Arijit Singh In Viral Video

Man Exposes Possible Petrol Pump Tampering by Female Workers | WATCH

Snake And Mongoose Deadly Fight In A Pothole, Video Goes Viral | WATCH

Man Stabs Mother Over 70 Times Because She 'Irritated Him'

Indian armed forces head Rawat led path-breaking reforms at time of fatal crash

• Medium Text

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

Reporting by Sanjeev Miglani; additional reporting by Devjyot Ghoshal and Tanvi Mehta; editing by John Stonestreet

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

South Koreans vote for new parliament after economy, corruption dominate campaign

South Koreans vote to elect a new parliament on Wednesday in a bitterly fought race seen by some analysts as a referendum on President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose popularity has suffered amid a cost of living crisis and a spate of political scandals.

The United States will sell Ukraine up to $138 million worth of equipment to maintain and upgrade its HAWK air defense systems to help defend against Russian drone and cruise missile attacks, a U.S. State Department official told Reuters on Tuesday.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

India's top military official, Bipin Rawat, dies in a helicopter crash

Lauren Frayer

An investigation is underway into Wednesday's helicopter crash that killed India's top military leader — along with 12 other people, including his wife.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Why did a helicopter go down in India, killing the country's top military officer, along with 12 other people, including his wife? Here's NPR's Lauren Frayer.

LAUREN FRAYER, BYLINE: TV footage from the crash site shows firefighters dousing the helicopter's smoldering wreckage and carrying bodies in slings through a village in the hilly jungles of southern India.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

KRISHNASWAMY: (Speaking in Tamil).

FRAYER: A villager named Krishnaswamy says he saw the helicopter crash into a huge ball of fire and smoke. Thirteen of the 14 people on board were killed, including General Bipin Rawat, who was the equivalent of the United States chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was on his way to give a speech at a defense college in a Russian-made Mi-17 helicopter.

AJAI SHUKLA: It's one of the safest models in the whole world.

FRAYER: Retired Army Colonel Ajai Shukla says it's the same model the prime minister travels in. Officials say it lost contact with air traffic control seven minutes before it was supposed to land. There was no distress call. But the area where it went down can be difficult to navigate, Shukla says.

SHUKLA: The mountains in that area are about 6,000 to 8,000 feet. The rainfall is pretty heavy. There are clouds that waft in and out of the valleys - fairly difficult flying conditions.

FRAYER: The helicopter did have black box voice and data recorders, which investigators want to analyze. They also want to interview the sole survivor, an air force captain who is on life support.

RAJNATH SINGH: (Speaking Hindi).

FRAYER: "We're working to save his life," India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament today. Military officials are also working to figure out their future command structure. General Rawat was less than two years into a newly created role. He was reorganizing India's armed forces, a herculean task, says one of his colleagues, retired commodore Uday Bhaskar.

UDAY BHASKAR: Sometime in 2022, he was hoping that he would be able to announce the creation of these reorganized theater commands.

FRAYER: It's unclear now whether that reorganization will happen and who will be in charge of one of the biggest standing armies in the world.

Lauren Frayer, NPR News, Mumbai.

(SOUNDBITE OF FREDERICO ALBANESE'S "THE ROOM")

Copyright © 2021 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

• Entreprenuers
• Humanitarians
• Politicians
• Spiritual Leaders
• Success Stories

CDS General Bipin Rawat’s Biography – A Vital Cog In The Indian Army

Bipin Rawat Biography

General Bipin Rawat was a four-star General of the Indian army and his expertise in presenting India’s biggest defense reforms and modernization of armed forces made him a vital cog in the national security and defense apparatus. Throughout his 4 decades-long military careers, Bipin Rawat was finally appointed as the first chief of Defence staff of India on December 30, 2019. He was also awarded a distinguished service with the UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, and COAS.

He played a significant role in successfully responding to the NSCN-K militants during a cross-border operation in Myanmar in 2015. During the surgical strikes in 2016 when the Indian army crossed the Line of Control into the POK, Rawat was supervising the situation from the south block in New Delhi. With the recent IAF Mi17V5 helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu on December 8, 2021, the country lost a true hero and dedicated army personnel.

Bipin Rawat Personal Details

Bipin rawat education.

• Bipin was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’ at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
• MPhil from Defence Services Staff College, Wellington
• ILE from U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Kansas
• Doctorate of Philosophy from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut
• Diplomas in management and computer studies from Madras University

Bipin Rawat Early Life

• Bipin Rawat was born in a Rajput family Pauri town of Pauri Garhwal district, Modern day Uttarakhand
• His family was serving the Indian Army for multiple generations
• His father served the Indian Army as Lt. General Laxman Singh Rawat and retired as the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff
• Rawat’s mother was the daughter of Kishan Singh Parmar, an ex MLA from Uttarkashi

Bipin Rawat Military Career

• Bipin Rawat was commissioned to the 5 th Batallion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles on December 16, 1978.
• He spent 10 years in counterinsurgency operations.
• He commanded a company in Uri, Jammu, and Kashmir and his battalion in LAC at Kibithu.
• As a brigadier, Rawat directed the Sector 5 of the Rashtriya Rifles in Sopore and the multinational brigade during chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)
• On being promoted as a General, he directed the 19 th Infantry Division in Uri.
• As an army commander, Rawat assumed the post of Commander General (GOCinC) of Southern command.
• On December 17, 2016, he was appointed as the 27 th Deputy Chief of Staff by the Government of India.
• Finally, on December 30, 2019, Rawat was honored with the post of being the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India.

Bipin Rawat Achievements

• Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM)
• Uttam Yudh Seva medal (UYSM)
• Ati Vishisht Seva medal (AVSM)
• Yudh Seva Medal (YSM)
• Sena medal (SM)
• Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM)
• COAS Commendation
• He was also awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation on two occasions
• Army Commander’s Commendation
• He was twice awarded Force Commander’s Commendation while serving UN in Congo.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra – India’s Richest Woman & HCL CEO

Mohit goel – the new managing director of omaxe limited.

Biography of Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu – Miss Universe 2021

CRED – Indian FinTech company

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recommended Reading

Chief justice of india d.y. chandrachud: a man of law who is leading social transformation in india, ramnath kovind: a lawyer from dalit community to the presidential palace, shafali verma’s untold cricketing journey, who is nayab singh saini biography of haryana’s new chief minister, who is bajrang punia wrestling his way to success, doctor mahesh mangal and sir ganga ram hospital: the pioneers of hand transplant surgery in india, daman game: where fun meets real rewards, 91club: the gaming platform to earn real money.

• Ambience Group Promoter
• Sunil Bharti Mittal: The Founder Of Bharti Enterprises

Leader Biography provides you with a range of biographical references, and features the work of some of the leading minds in the business. These compelling stories will make you realize that one needs to be self-motivated in order to be inspired.

Featured Post

Rajat Khare Investor in Artificial intelligence and Deep Tech Domain 

Recent News

Radhika gupta: the shark who kept her head high in face of adversity.

• Leader Biography
• Contribute Us
• Privacy Policy

© 2021 Leader Biography. All Rights Reserved.

General Bipin Rawat is an inspiring example of heroism and gallantry who became India’s first CDS – Read to know about his inspiring life

Mad4India By Navya Gupta | December 10, 2021 2 min read

General Bipin Rawat was the first Chief of Army Staff to hold the position of Chief of Defence Staff in India. A veteran who played a huge role in counter-insurgency operations in the most difficult terrains of India, which includes the eastern and north-eastern commands.

The rise of Bipin Rawat

He was born in Pauri Garhwal in a Rajput family. He belonged to a family which has its members serving in the Indian army for multiple generations. His inspiration to join the Indian Army came while growing up in an army family. Bipin Rawat’s father LS Rawat was also a Lieutenant General in the Indian Army. After completing his schooling at Cambrian Hall School in Dehradun and St. Edward’s School in Shimla, he joined National Defense Academy in khadakwasla.

At the age of 20, Bipin Rawat was commissioned from the Indian Military Academy where he was also awarded the Sword of Honour for being the best cadet in his batch. He did his graduation from Defence Services Staff College in America. He was also awarded a doctorate in philosophy for his research on military media strategic studies.

The glorious career

Bipin Rawat was commissioned on 16 December 1978, in the 5th battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifle. He had experience in high altitude warfare. His years of Selfless service promoted him to serve as 26 th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army as well as 57 th Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. Under his inspiring command, India had seen many military achievements. For his selfless service, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Sainya Seva Medal, High Altitude Service Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal.

United Nations peacekeeping mission in Africa

Bipin Rawat also served as a member of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Africa where he commanded a multinational brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was leading over 7,000 men and women. He carried out tactical support to the Congolese Army in prosecuting operations whilst trying to protect the vulnerable population. For his heroic work, he was also awarded a medal by MONUSCO.

Neutralising militancy in Northeast

Bipin Rawat was instrumental in reducing the threats by militants and terrorists. He supervised a successful mission from the operation command of the Dimapur-based III Corps.

Surgical strikes

Bipin Rawat helped in the planning for the 2016 surgical strikes where the Indian Army crossed the Line of Control into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

He led the Indian Army during the Balakot airstrikes in 2019.

He played a pivotal role in supervising the 2015 cross-border operation in Myanmar where eighteen Indian soldiers were killed in Manipur by militants belonging to the UNLFW. The units of the 21st battalion of the Parachute Regiment responded with cross-border strikes on an NSCN-K base in Myanmar

India’s first CDS

Retiring Gen Bipin Rawat was appointed the first tri-service chief in India in 2019. He also became the first Chief of Army Staff to hold the position of Chief of Defence Staff(CDS).

This post of CDS brought together the Army, the Navy and the Air Force by maintaining the coordination. The CDS serves as a single point of contact for the government on military matters of the Army, Navy, as well as Air Force.

Gen Bipin Rawat was a highly decorated officer with a glorious career spanning over 4 decades will surely inspire every person.

CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, His wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 others recently died in the Mi-17V5 helicopter crash.

Gen Bipin Rawat died at the age of 63.

If you want to read more of our stories, read First Indian to become an IAS officer in British regime, The story of Satyendranath Tagore

If you know more inspirational stories about a person, company, new idea, or social initiative, and want us to write it on mad4india.com, share such information with us on  Facebook  or  LinkedIn

Similar Stories For You...

Know The Real Life Story Of “12th Fail” Fame – Manoj Kumar IPS!

List of 15 Famous Bollywood Celebrities Who Died In 2023!

Best of 2023 – Proud Achievements Of Indians, The World Will Always Remember!

Trending posts, get best mad4india viral stories straight into your inbox.

• #bipin rawat
• #Chief Of Army
• #Chief of Defence Staff
• #General Bipin Rawat
• #Indian Military
• #IndianArmy
• #Myanmar Mission
• #Surgical Strike
• #Sword of Honour

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Bipin Rawat Age, Death, Caste, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Some Lesser Known Facts About Bipin Rawat

Bipin Rawat with his family members in his native village in Uttarakhand

• His father, Laxman Singh Rawat, had also served the Indian Army as Lt. General. Laxman Singh Rawat had risen from the ranks (being a soldier) to become the Deputy Chief of Army Staff.

Bipin Rawat’s uncle Bharat Singh Rawat (in white Kurta)

Bipin has managed to get where he is only through sheer hard work and honesty. We were very sure that he would achieve great success, and he has proved us right.”

Bipin Rawat visiting his alma mater St Edward School in Shimla

• After completing his schooling, he joined the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where he was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour.’
• After passing out from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, he was commissioned into the 5th Battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifles, on 16 December 1978; the same unit as his father’s.
• Soon after his induction into the Indian army as a Second Lieutenant, Mr. Rawat started showing his military skills and went on to have lots of experience in high altitude warfare, and he spent ten years conducting Counter-insurgency operations.
• As a Major, he commanded a company in Uri, Jammu & Kashmir. As a Colonel, he commanded the 5th battalion 11 Gorkha Rifles in the Eastern sector along the Line of Actual Control at Kibithu.
• After being promoted to the rank of Brigadier, he commanded 5 Sector of Rashtriya Rifles in Sopore.
• For commanding a multinational Brigade in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Mr. Rawat was twice awarded the Force Commander’s Commendation.
• His promotion to Major General led him to take over as the General Officer Commanding 19th Infantry Division (Uri).
• As a Lieutenant General, Mr. Rawat commanded III Corps, headquartered in Dimapur before taking over the Southern Army in Pune.
• During his career span of 37 years, Bipin Rawat was awarded various gallantry awards including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished service.
• On 1 January 2016, Bipin Rawat was promoted to the Army Commander grade and assumed the post of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Southern Command, and after a short stint, he assumed the post of Vice Chief of Army Staff on 1 September 2016.

Bipin Rawat taking charge as the Chief of Army Staff from Dalbir Singh Suhag

General Bipin Rawat presents a memento to General Rajendra Chhetri, Chief of the Army Staff Nepal Army, on the occasion of Nepal Army Day 2018

• Mr. Rawat’s battalion was deployed against the Chinese People’s Liberation Army; during the 1987 face-off in the Sumdorong Chu valley.

Bipin Rawat waving while going to fly LCA Tejas

Bipin Rawat on a visit to his maternal village Thati in Uttarkashi

Bipin Rawat on a visit to his native village Saina Birmoli, near Lansdowne

Wreckage of the crashed chopper that was carrying Bipin Rawat

A life-size mural of the late Gen Bipin Rawat was unveiled at the military camp in Kibithu, Arunachal Pradesh on 10 September 2022

References/Sources: [ + ]

A Raja slams PM for not visiting Nilgiris after General Bipin Rawat's death

I n a swipe at Narendra Modi, DMK MP A Raja said the Prime Minister was coming to Nilgiris to seek votes for the BJP but did not visit the constituency even once after the death of General Bipin Rawat, the country's first Chief of Defence Staff, in a helicopter crash.

A Raja, who has been re-nominated from the Nilgiris by the DMK, said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had rushed to the crash site and also paid his respects to General Rawat, his wife and 11 other defence personnel who were on board.

"(The) head of the forces died here. Did the Prime Minister or Defence Minister come here? Let me challenge you (PM Modi). What important work did you have in Delhi when Bipin Rawat died here? Were you in a foreign land? No. But it was CM MK Stalin who rushed here and paid his respects. Don't claim we don't have patriotism. We don't speak Hindi. Modi doesn't have to teach us patriotism," A Raja said on Wednesday while campaigning in Nilgiris. 

The then Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat , his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other people were on board an Air Force's Mi-17V5 chopper when it crashed near Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on December 8, 2021.

In his speech, Raja further said the BJP's patriotism was for a "particular religion" and "language". He said that Tamil Nadu would not support such a kind of patriotism.

Tamil Nadu will go to polls in a single phase on April 19, 2024, for 39 Lok Sabha seats.

Watch Live TV in English

Watch Live TV in Hindi