General Bipin Laxman Singh Rawat, PVSM UYSM AVSM YSM SM VSM ADC, was awarded Sword of Honour of his course and was commissioned in the 5/11 Gurkha Rifles, a unit which his father had commanded and he too had the honour to command. The 63-year-old was the alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where he was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’. He also attended the Command and General Staff Course at Fort Leavenworth, USA. Gen Rawat held important appointments both staff and command before he was promoted as the Chief of Army Staff and thereafter was appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff, w.e.f. 01 January 2020, for a duration of three years. As the CDS he was the single point of contact for the Government of India for issues related to national security and defence. Gen Rawat was mandated for force planning and changing the role of warfare- being more technology-oriented over rightsizing of manpower. CDS was also into operationalising the ‘Theatre Commands’ which integrate the operations of the Army, Air Force and Navy. This will be impacted by this loss and the break-in momentum of operationalisation of the Theatre Commands, which is understandable, till the next incumbent is appointed. The general is credited with providing dynamic leadership and is remembered as a very humble and approachable soldier possessing a great strategic vision on critical national security issues. General Rawat has also played a key role in shaping the stringent response to Pakistan during his tenure. As an Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat stood up to the Chinese PLA at the Doklam plateau on India-Bhutan-China tri-junction for 73 days in 2017. He also deftly managed military affairs along the border with China, following the Doklam standoff. The loss of Gen Rawat and others deceased is a great loss to India and the security apparatus. We at the Chennai Centre for China Studies convey our heartfelt condolences to all the family members and pray for the quick and complete recovery of Group Captain Varun Singh, SC.
“The Indian Armed Forces personnel are the epitome of courage, valour, and sacrifice. ‘Peacetime’ is an enduring misnomer for the Indian Armed Forces with a host of constant operational and training commitments. For all the decaying values we tend to be surrounded by, let nobody convince you that true heroes don’t exist. May India never forget her most fearless.”
The above mentioned excerpts are taken from the book “India’s Most Fearless” by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh.
Jai Hind.
