Last Updated:
General Bipin Rawat: India’s first CDS General Bipin Rawat worked to take the army to new heights. His bravery and contribution still inspires the country. He taught a lesson not only to Pakistan but also to China in Doklam and Galwan. He always led from the front and boosted the morale of the soldiers.
Today is 8th December and the entire country is remembering India’s first Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat. On this day in 2021, General Rawat died in a tragic helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. He was a symbol of indomitable courage and unmatched leadership. General Rawat took the Indian Army to new heights in his career spanning four decades. He was born on 16 March 1958 in Garhwal, Uttarakhand. His family has been serving in the army for many generations. His father was also a Lieutenant General. General Rawat completed his studies and training with the same enthusiasm. Today, on his fourth death anniversary, the country is paying tribute to his sacrifice and contribution.
The spirit of service in the army for generations: General Bipin Rawat’s blood was military. His father Laxman Singh Rawat had also retired from a senior position in the army. Bipin Rawat had taken training from the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. On 16 December 1978, he was commissioned in the 5th Battalion of the 11th Gorkha Rifles. On his first posting, he went to Mizoram in January 1979. His journey started from there and he reached the highest post of the Indian Army. He always led from the front and boosted the morale of the soldiers.
Surgical strike and befitting reply to China: General Rawat is known for his tough decisions. In 2017, when there was a dispute with China in Doklam, the command of the army was in his hands. He spoke looking China in the eyes. Even during the Galwan Valley incident in 2020, he dealt strictly with China’s aggressive attitude. Surgical strike was carried out against Pakistan in PoK while he was the Army Chief. The operation of Special Forces in Myanmar was also done under his supervision. He changed India’s defense policy from restraint to aggression.
Historical reforms as first CDS: After retiring from the post of Army Chief on 31 December 2019, he got a new responsibility. On January 1, 2020, he became the country’s first Chief of Defense Staff (CDS). This was the biggest reform in Indian military history. Its purpose was to increase coordination between the three forces – sea, land and air. While holding this post, General Rawat laid emphasis on modernization of the army. He wanted that India should not depend on anyone else for its security. The Coonoor incident took away a great strategist from the country, but his legacy is still alive in every army soldier.
