India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat was a distinguished military leader with a remarkable career spanning over four decades. On his 66th birth anniversary today (March 16), the Department of Military Affairs paid tribute to him saying, “A visionary leader, military reformer & a scholar soldier known for his professionalism, principles, conviction & decisiveness. As the first CDS & Secretary DMA, General Rawat rallied for organisational & structural reforms to integrate the Indian Armed Forces and bring in path-breaking transformational initiatives along with renewed civil-military synergy. He continues to be a beacon of inspiration for all.”
On December 8, 2021, General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and members of his staff were among 10 passengers and 4 crew members aboard an Indian Air Force Mil Mi-17 helicopter flight. The helicopter was en route from the Sulur Air Force Base to the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, where Rawat was scheduled to deliver a lecture.
However, tragedy struck when, at approximately 12:10 p.m. local time, the aircraft crashed near a residential colony of private tea estate employees on the outskirts of Nanjappachatiram, Bandishola panchayat, in the Katteri-Nanchappanchathram area of Coonoor taluk, Nilgiris district. The crash site was 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the flight’s intended destination.
The Indian Air Force later confirmed the deaths of General Rawat, his wife, and 11 others. General Rawat was 63 years old at the time of his death. Him and his wife were cremated with full military honors and a 17-gun salute at Brar Square Crematorium in Delhi Cantonment on December 10, 2021.
