General Bipin Rawat was the first Chief of Army Staff to hold the position of Chief of Defence Staff in India. A veteran who played a huge role in counter-insurgency operations in the most difficult terrains of India, which includes the eastern and north-eastern commands.
The rise of Bipin Rawat
He was born in Pauri Garhwal in a Rajput family. He belonged to a family which has its members serving in the Indian army for multiple generations. His inspiration to join the Indian Army came while growing up in an army family. Bipin Rawat’s father LS Rawat was also a Lieutenant General in the Indian Army. After completing his schooling at Cambrian Hall School in Dehradun and St. Edward’s School in Shimla, he joined National Defense Academy in khadakwasla.
At the age of 20, Bipin Rawat was commissioned from the Indian Military Academy where he was also awarded the Sword of Honour for being the best cadet in his batch. He did his graduation from Defence Services Staff College in America. He was also awarded a doctorate in philosophy for his research on military media strategic studies.
The glorious career
Bipin Rawat was commissioned on 16 December 1978, in the 5th battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifle. He had experience in high altitude warfare. His years of Selfless service promoted him to serve as 26th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army as well as 57th Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. Under his inspiring command, India had seen many military achievements. For his selfless service, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Sainya Seva Medal, High Altitude Service Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal.
United Nations peacekeeping mission in Africa
Bipin Rawat also served as a member of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Africa where he commanded a multinational brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was leading over 7,000 men and women. He carried out tactical support to the Congolese Army in prosecuting operations whilst trying to protect the vulnerable population. For his heroic work, he was also awarded a medal by MONUSCO.
Neutralising militancy in Northeast
Bipin Rawat was instrumental in reducing the threats by militants and terrorists. He supervised a successful mission from the operation command of the Dimapur-based III Corps.
Surgical strikes
Bipin Rawat helped in the planning for the 2016 surgical strikes where the Indian Army crossed the Line of Control into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
He led the Indian Army during the Balakot airstrikes in 2019.
He played a pivotal role in supervising the 2015 cross-border operation in Myanmar where eighteen Indian soldiers were killed in Manipur by militants belonging to the UNLFW. The units of the 21st battalion of the Parachute Regiment responded with cross-border strikes on an NSCN-K base in Myanmar
India’s first CDS
Retiring Gen Bipin Rawat was appointed the first tri-service chief in India in 2019. He also became the first Chief of Army Staff to hold the position of Chief of Defence Staff(CDS).
This post of CDS brought together the Army, the Navy and the Air Force by maintaining the coordination. The CDS serves as a single point of contact for the government on military matters of the Army, Navy, as well as Air Force.
Gen Bipin Rawat was a highly decorated officer with a glorious career spanning over 4 decades will surely inspire every person.
CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, His wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 others recently died in the Mi-17V5 helicopter crash.
Gen Bipin Rawat died at the age of 63.
If you want to read more of our stories, read First Indian to become an IAS officer in British regime, The story of Satyendranath Tagore
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