Cooperators across the country extended condolences over the sudden demise of Chief of Defense Staff Bipin Rawat in a chopper crash in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.
NCUI President Dileepbhai Sanghani wrote, ” Stunned by the untimely demise of India’s first Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat ji. May God rest his soul in peace and give strength to the family to bear the loss. Salute to the brave life of General Rawat ji”.
IFFCO MD Dr. U S Awasthi wrote, ” Deeply saddened by the demise of 1st Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife & 11 other Defence personnel in a very tragic accident in TamilNadu. An irreparable loss to the nation. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families & wishing speedy recovery of the injured”.
“The country has suffered a great loss with the sudden demise of the country’s first CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and other armed forces officers in the unfortunate helicopter crash in the Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu. My condolences to their families. The entire nation is with the families of the departed in this sad time. My heartfelt tributes to all”, wrote Kribhco Chairman Chandra Pal Singh Yadav who is also the President of ICA Asia-Pacific.
General Bipin Rawat was appointed the first CDS of India in December 2019, and his family had been serving in the Indian Army for four generations. His wife, Dr. Madhulika Rawat was the president of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA).
The IAF helicopter was taking Rawat and his wife Dr. Madhulika to the Defense Services Staff College in Wellington but crashed shortly before landing. Others who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident were Brigadier L.S. Lidder, Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitender Kumar, Naik Vivek Kumar, Naik B. Sai Teja, Havaldar Satpal, and pilots.
Expressing his shock, Nafcub President Jyotindra Mehta wrote, “Stunned by the sudden demise of Gen Bipin Rawat. India has lost its great patriot and dedicated hero. He was the most important person of the country. His service will be remembered in Indian History”.
Nafed MD Sanjeev Chadha wrote, “Shocked to know about the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat, first CDS of India and 12 others in a helicopter crash today. Have very fond memories of being part of defense delegations led by him. Condolences to the bereaved families!
“In the accidental death of Gen Bipin Rawat, CDS – 4 Star General – India has suffered an unmeasureable loss. On behalf of the CoOp Sector, I pay my respectful tributes to the brave soldier and offer condolences to the bereaved family”, wrote Satish Marathe, Founder Member, Sahakar Bharati.
Biscomaun Chairman Sunil Kumar Singh who is also on the board of many apex co-op bodies including NCUI wrote on his FB wall, ” The country is deeply saddened at the death of CDS General Bipin Rawat and the painful death of his wife and other brave patriots. I offer my heartfelt tributes”.
National leaders including the Prime Minister and Cooperation Minister also expressed their shock. PM Narendra Modi wrote, “Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernizing our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti”.
Union Home and Cooperative Minister Amit Shah wrote, “A very sad day for the nation as we have lost our CDS, General Bipin Rawat Ji in a very tragic accident. He was one of the bravest soldiers, who has served the motherland with utmost devotion. His exemplary contributions & commitment cannot be put into words. I am deeply pained”.
As soon as the news of Rawat’s death broke, Indian Cooperative received scores of condolence messages from cooperators from across states.
Indian Cooperative also pays its heartfelt tributes to the departed souls.
