While some quarters and government detractors tried to attack the Modi-led regime over the appointment of Bipin Rawat as the Army chief in 2016, the then Defence minister Manohar Parrikar had defended the move saying if seniority was the only criterion then a computer could have selected a service chief.
A tough and a decisive officer, like many military top brass, Gen Rawat had a very good sense of humour and would even joke about the media's obsession with the 'China angle' and craze for sound bytes. He knew northeast India and would even ask, "What about Naga food?"
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| A Soldier's Officer ! Strategist |
"Russia has lost a very close friend, who played a big role in promotion of our bilateral special and privileged strategic partnership," tweeted Nikolay Kudashev, Russian ambassador to
India.
"Grieving together with India. Goodbye, friend! Farewell, commander," he further wrote.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff of Pakistan expressed his condolences on the tragic death of Indian CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his spouse, and 11 others.
Those who track country's defence and security apparatus closely say - as the Army chief and later as the first CDS -- Rawat was a 'perfect team man' in the Team Modi -- alongside the likes of Late Manohar Parrikar, Late Arun Jaitley, Nirmala Sitharaman and of course Ajit Doval and from time to time Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah as the 'need' required.
I bow down in homage to one of the distinguished men in camouflage in recent years.
But while doing so, I do remember some of his widely publicized and scrutinized quotes. To his force and men, he was a "soldier's officer", to Prime Minister Narendra Modi - a strategic thinker perhaps a little different from being 'a thinking strategist'.
In the words of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, "As the first Chief of Defence Staff he had prepared plans for jointness of our Armed Forces".
He was part of the 'select few' planning team that ensured a historical success
in the form of post-Uri Surgical Strike in September 2016 against across LoC in Pakistan.
But, the detractors of the Modi-led dispensation would do well to remember that superseding in army promotions had happened under the Congress regime too.
Lt Gen S K Sinha, who later became Governor of Assam and J&K, was superseded by Gen. A K Vaidya in the 1980s during the Indira Gandhi era.
In fact, Sinha even took premature retirement.
In December 2016 also, two senior officers Lt Gen Parveen Bakshi and Lt Gen P M Hariz were superseded. These two officers were commissioned in December 1977 and June 1978.
Rawat had joined the forces only in December 1978.
Sources later said Rawat’s experience in Kashmir and the North East as a corps Commander at Rangapahar/Dimapur in Nagaland perhaps 'overshadowed' the claims of the two senior officers.
Of course, after taking over as the army chief, Gen Rawat said he had worked with both the officers and expected cooperation. In fact, he got good wishes from both too.
Soft spoken but always assertive, the then Defence minister Manohar Parrikar had defended the government decision. He had said - if seniority was the only criterion then a computer could have selected a service chief.
“There would be no requirement of any Raksha Mantri, there would be no requirement of Cabinet Committee on Appointment because then it is a computer job. Date of birth decides who becomes General,” said Parrikar, now deceased and who was known for his Marathi-Goan mixed variety of humour.
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| A SKETCH near Mandi House, Delhi |
If asked about that veiled-attack prone wordings - Late Parrikar would smilingly say -"Well, Goan fish gives me those".
Only survivor Gp. Capt Varun Singh hospitalised : ....Rawat had a 'Gorkha hat'
New Delhi:
There were 14 people altogether in the ill-fated chopper that crashed amid Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu on December 8 killing among others India's first CDS Gen Bipin Rawat.
There were 13 casualties and one officer survived who was shifted to a hospital.
"We pray for the speedy recovery of Gp. Capt Varun Singh who is presently hospitalised," said a tweet from the Indian Air Force official handle.
Along with Gen Rawat, his wife Mrs Madhulika Rawat also expired.
Mrs Neeta Chaudhari, President Air Force Women Welfare Association and all Sanginis expressed their deepest condolences on the untimely demise of Mrs Madhulika, Gen Rawat and 11 other Service personnel. "In this hour, we stand behind the ladies and families who have lost their dear ones in this unfortunate crash."
Madhulika Rawat came from a princely family:
Late wife of Gen Bipin Rawat came from a princely family and was second daughter of Mrigendra Singh.
They belonged to Riwa ancestral family; and sources say Gen Rawat and Madhulika were married in 1985. Madhulika-s father was a Congressman and represented Sohagpur assembly under Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh twice in 1967 and 1972.
Rawat's sense of humour:
A tough and decisive officer, like many military top brass, Gen Rawat had a very good sense of humour.
He was known to be jovial with scribes and would even joke about media's obsession with China angle and craze for sound bytes.
Also popularly known for donning the Gorkha hat; Gen Rawat often would say in our regiment, it is best that you think like a Gorkha.
He used to speak about the hat he had used for four decades.
Thus, on becoming CDS, as he had give up the army hat; once he told newspersons -- "My head is feeling lighter."
In 2015, he had survived a helicopter crash near Dimapur in Nagaland. Of course he had sustained injuries.
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