Page 7 - NIS 01-15 JAN 2022 English

India's Braveheart

This is one of the anecdotes from 1977-78. After
passing the written examination of NDA, a young man
appeared in front of the Brigadier for an interview. This
young man was very fond of trekking. In the interview,
the Brigadier asked- If you have to go on trekking for
4-5 days, then tell the most important thing, which
you would like to keep with you. The young man said
- matchbox. The Brigadier coaxed him to choose the
answer to keep several other items but he remained
adamant to his decision. This man was General Bipin
Rawat, who became India's first Chief of Defense Staff.
Taking a decision and then sticking to it remained
part of his personality trait. Whether it was to kill
terrorists by crossing the border in Myanmar or giving
a befitting reply to terrorism through surgical strike
across the Line of Control or Balakot airstrikes.. India's
military maneuvering without his participation was CDS General Bipin Rawat (1958-2021)
unimaginable.
MILITARY OPERATIONS FOR WHICH HE
his incident is from 1993. Bipin Rawat was posted as WILL BE BEST REMEMBERED
Major in 5/11 Gorkha Rifles. He was patrolling with
Tsome of his soldiers in the Uri area of Kashmir. At the n This incidence is from June 2015. The terrorists
same time, Pakistan started firing. Bipin Rawat also came attacked our army in Manipur. There was
under the firing. A bullet hit his ankle and the second one anguish in the country due to the martyrdom of
hit his right hand. He was rushed to the hospital in Srinagar. 18 soldiers. Incidentally, Bipin Rawat was the
Doctors at the hospital treated his hand and ankle, but commander of 21 Para Third Corps during that
Rawat feared that he might be barred from joining the period. He showed the world what retaliation
senior command course after being shot. He didn't give up. means when India's soldiers are targeted. Para
He started walking with the help of crutches and recovered commandos of this unit crossed the border and
within a month. In 2015, Bipin Rawat was a lieutenant operated in Myanmar and killed more than 60
general. He was responsible for the 3 Corps Headquarters terrorists of the terrorist group
located at Dimapur in Nagaland. On 3 February 2015 at n He gave a befitting reply to the actions of
9.30 am, Bipin Rawat, accompanied by a colonel and two Pakistan in his own style. On 29 September 2016,
pilots boarded a Cheetah helicopter. After taking off from the Special Commando Unit of the Indian Army
Dimapur, the helicopter went 20 feet above the ground, conducted an overnight operation in Pakistan-
when the engine failed. Within a few seconds, it fell to the occupied Kashmir. Along with many terrorists,
ground. All the people aboard were hurt, but once again Pakistani soldiers were also killed. This was in
Bipin Rawat defeated death. response to the attack in Uri and CRPF camp.
These are the two incidences where he defeated death
with his bravery. But on December 8, something else was GENERAL BIPIN RAWAT WAS AN UNMATCHED
in store for him. 14 people including the country's first CDS
General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat died in a SOLDIER AND A TRUE PATRIOT. HE PLAYED AN
helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. Remembering IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE MODERNIZATION OF
the contribution of General Rawat, Prime Minister Narendra THE ARMY. HIS APPROACH IN TACTICAL AND
Modi said at a program organized in Balrampur, Uttar STRATEGIC MATTERS WAS MATCHLESS. I AM
Pradesh on December 11, "The demise of India's first Chief DEEPLY SADDENED BY HIS DEMISE. INDIA WILL
of Defense Staff, General Bipin Rawat Ji is a great loss for
every Indian, for every patriot. The whole country has been NEVER FORGET HIS CONTRIBUTION.
a witness to the hard work that General Bipin Rawat Ji was - NARENDRA MODI, PRIME MINISTER
doing to make the country's forces self-reliant."

New India Samachar January 1-15, 2022 5