In a sudden accident, India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, has passed away on Wednesday (December 8). He has met with a helicopter crash in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The IAF has shared that General Bipin Rawat was with his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons as well and all have lost their lives in the accident.
However, General Rawat was India’s first chief of defence staff, a position that the government has established in 2019. The former Army Chief, Bipin Rawat was also the head of the newly-made Department of Military Affairs as well. However, the veteran was travelling with his wife and other senior officers in the Russian-made Mi-17 chopper, which unfortunately crashed near its destination in Tamil Nadu.
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“Gen Bipin Rawat was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the staff course today,” the Indian Air Force (IAF) tweeted. “Around noon, an IAF Mi-17 V5 helicopter with a crew of four members carrying the CDS and nine other passengers met with a tragic accident near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu,” the statement further said.
Around noon today, 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.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021
“Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington,” IAF further tweeted.
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
As soon as the news came out, the Indian cricket fraternity shared their grief on social media. Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli among others took to Twitter and expressed their heartfelt tribute to General Bipin Rawat and other departed souls as well.
Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Sh. #BipinRawat and his wife in a tragic helicopter crash. The nation will always be grateful to Gen. Rawat for his service to the nation. Om Shanti 🙏🏼
Jai Hind pic.twitter.com/b4qwfAW2Kz— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 8, 2021
Very sad news & Deeply saddened to hear about the BipinRawat and his wife in a helicopter crash. The nation will always be grateful to Sir Bipin Rawat & his wife Madhulika Rawat & 11 more soldiers 💔💔💔💔. Rest in Peace 🙏🙏 #Bipin_Rawat #BipinRawatHelicopterCrash pic.twitter.com/mDM6LoPNxB
— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) December 8, 2021
I am saddened beyond words by the sudden demise of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat ji, his wife Mrs Madhulika Rawat & 11 other personnel of the Armed Forces. My heart goes out to the families & friends of those we have lost in the tragic helicopter accident today.
ॐ शांति। pic.twitter.com/9W3ePCg7Cf
— RajyavardhanRathore (@Ra_THORe) December 8, 2021
Deeply disturbed & saddened by the incident which occured in Coonoor today.
My heartfelt condolences to the families of Bipin Rawat ji and other officials. 🙏🏻💔— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) December 8, 2021
Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of CDS Bipin Rawat ji and other officials in a tragic helicopter crash. My deepest condolences to the friends & family members. 🙏
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 8, 2021
The dynamic and inspiring leadership of General Bipin Rawat shall remain eternally etched in our memories. The #IndianArmedForces will forever remain indebted to his invaluable contributions. (2/n) pic.twitter.com/0V2kcMtNUX
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 8, 2021
This is so tragic. Heart goes out to the family of Gen Bipin Rawat and Mrs. Madhulika Rawat. My deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident. May God give them strength to cope with this loss 🙏🏻 https://t.co/TMSUEpMlSk
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 8, 2021
Deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat, his wife Mrs. Madhulika Rawat and 11 other personnel of our armed forces. My deepest condolences to their families and well-wishers 🙏🏻
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) December 8, 2021
Anguished by the demise of India’s first CDS, Gen Bipin Rawat. He served the nation with valour and worked towards strengthening India’s defence apparatus. The country will never forget his exemplary service.
ॐ शांति pic.twitter.com/7xuWlmPK6Z
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) December 8, 2021
CDS Bipin Rawat's passing is a big loss to the nation. In this moment of grief I offer my condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate tragedy and praying for the speedy recovery of Gp Capt Varun Singh 🙏
— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) December 8, 2021
There are some men who feel like ones from our family. Our security forces feel like family and feel extremely pained to hear about the demise of Gen #BipinRawat and his wife in the tragic helicopter crash. May Parmatma give Sadgati to the bravehearts who lost their lives. pic.twitter.com/IBrfhkqKeL
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) December 8, 2021
