India’s first Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat’s significant contribution to India’s security

Wherever there were major security challenges, be it the Kashmir Valley or Ladakh, Gen. Rawat did an excellent job !

The demise of General Bipin Rawat is a major blow to India’s security. General Rawat was India’s first Chief of Defense Staff, a position created after 70 years in India. General Bipin Rawat was a major contributor to India’s security. His demise has left a huge void. He should be paid generous tributes for this. He served in the country’s Army for many years. This article attempts to analyse his entire work.

1. Biography of General Bipin Rawat

A. Joining the Army : General Bipin Rawat had a military background. His father was also a Lieutenant General in the Army. He led the ‘Gorkha 11 Rifles’. General Bipin Rawat also joined his father’s regiment. In 1978, he joined the Indian Army as a ‘Commissioned Officer’ (Second Lieutenant Military Officer). Most importantly, he performed his duties very well every day after he joined the Army.

B. Proficiency in various examinations : As a trainee, he was awarded the highest ‘Sword of Honour’ (which is given to an outstanding trainee in ‘National Defence Academy’), which means he started showing military skills early on in his career. He excelled in various examinations. He stood first in the important examination of the ‘Staff College’. He was then sent to Staff College in the United States for training. He was on his way to address a Staff College in Wellington, India when the unfortunate helicopter crash took place. There are 350 Indian officers in the ranks of Major and Lieutenant Colonel, as well as military officers from 70 countries in this College. General Rawat was going to address them.

C. He had vast experience in fighting adversities and leading in various fields : Countries around the world are fascinated by India’s war games. No other country has as much experience as India in fighting on different battlefields. The Indian Army has vast experience fighting in deserts, high mountain areas or any difficult situation. Chief of Defence Staff General Rawat had completed a course abroad. On the Indo-China border, he then led an excellent battalion, as well as a brigade. He was then sent to Africa as the head of the United Nation’s Peace Keeping Force. There, too, he led from the front. He then led a Sector in a very difficult area in the Kashmir Valley.

D. Receiving various awards for bravery in facing numerous security challenges : He achieved great success even during the time of massive violence in Kashmir. He led the divisions in the North-East. Wherever there were major security challenges, be it the Kashmir Valley or Ladakh or the Indo-China border, he did an excellent job. For this, he was also awarded various gallantry medals. In 2016, he was appointed as the 27th Chief of Army Staff of India because of his excellent performance. He performed his duties very well during his tenure.

2. To work in the interests of the country despite opposition from the human rights activists, as well as terrorists and their supporters

There are many human rights activists in our country. Especially in Kashmir and in the North-East, people drive camels and goats and give unsolicited advice to the Army on their activities which may harm the country. However, General Rawat did not care about anyone. Strict action was taken against terrorists and their supporters. So many times, he had to tolerate criticism from the so-called intelligentsia; however, we have to take into account that General Rawat served his country to the best of his ability.

He never cared about praise or criticism from human rights activists, so-called experts. A soldier should act like a soldier to keep the country safe. This is his duty and General Bipin Rawat carried out  his duties in a very difficult situation for 3 years. We should commend him for that.

3. It is essential that the Army, Air Force and Navy must fight any battle together

After 70 years of Independence, India decided that it needed a Chief of Defence Staff to coordinate the three security wings of the country. The ground forces, the air force and the Navy all carry out different tasks. They should fight any battle together; however, this was not the case so far. Therefore, the resources of the country were not being utilised optimally. This required united resources of these 3 fronts. The war in 1971 is a prime example. At that time, under the leadership of Field Marshal Manekshaw, everyone fought together. We all know what a great victory India had achieved then.

A. General Bipin Rawat’s death came at a time when India’s security appeared to be strengthening through ‘Theater Commands’. However, it is certain that in the future, a new competent officer will lead the Army and complete the rest of General Rawat’s work : Gen. Rawat was assigned the task of setting up ‘Integrated Theatre Commands’. Through these, the Army, Air Force and Navy would work together. As a result, the country’s arms spending would become lower, the administration would have worked together and formulating joint policies and training together would have become possible. Of course, all this was going on and it seemed to be progressing well. It was also hoped that in the coming years, India’s security would be strengthened with the creation of these ‘Theatre Commands’; however, destiny did not favour this, and General Rawat died in an accident.

This has caused a huge loss to the country. But the country has a long tradition that when one competent officer departs, another competent officer takes up he reins. The Government of India will certainly appoint a new Chief of Defence Staff. General Rawat will be replaced by a competent officer to lead the Army and complete General Rawat’s unfinished tasks. Nothing will fall short in strengthening the security of the country. No one should have any doubt about this.

4. Reasons why helicopters crash and precautions to be taken to prevent recurrences

General Bipin Rawat, along with 13 others, was travelling by IAF’s MI-17V5 helicopter from Coimbatore to the Staff College in Wellington and was about to land at Coonoor. But before that, the accident took place and 13 people died.

5. 4 types of planes or helicopter accidents

A. Mechanical failure : Helicopter engine failure can lead to an accident. The exact cause of the accident can be ascertained only after getting the ‘Black box’ of this helicopter.

B. Accident caused by a bird-hit : Accident can take place if a big bird gets stuck in the rotor.

C. Sudden climate change : Accidents can happen when a helicopter takes off and suddenly with a big storm, heavy rain or heavy fog can spread. Was the accident caused due to fog ? The exact reason will be known after investigations.

D. Pilot error : This can happen if the pilot takes the plane too high, does not take the correct turn or does not land properly. Where exactly did the mistake happen and what care should be taken ? This will be known later. Accidents like this have happened earlier and will probably happen again because there are some limitations in this type of transport. No vehicle is 100% safe.

6. If there is any enemy country behind General Rawat’s accident, it should be given a fitting reply

The most important question is – are there any China or Pakistan supporters behind this accident ? Did they engineer this accident ? Did any sabotage, such as loosening of the rotor screws lead to engine malfunction ? Or was something mixed with the fuel ? The search for these reasons will take place. If sabotage is behind this accident, the perpetrators should be caught and severely punished. If China, Pakistan, etc. are behind this accident, it must be conveyed to them that we can give them a fitting reply.

Some decades ago, General Zia-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s Army Chief died in a plane crash. It was later reported that the CIA had engineered the crash. Looking at the current helicopter crash, a doubt arises – did China launch a cyber attack ? Did they shut down the communication system ? All these aspects will come to the fore in the investigation. If this is indeed sabotage, then India must give a fitting reply, because China and Pakistan only understand such a language.

7. Salute to India’s first Chief of Defence Staff

General Rawat was a brave, excellent and versatile fighter. The first Chief of Defence Staff of India deserves to be saluted. We should pray to God to give momentum to the departed souls. General Rawat’s wife Madhulika Rawat also died in the accident. She has made many great contributions for the soldiers and their families. His family and 2 daughters are in Delhi. They have been hit hard. To endure this shock, let us pray, ‘May God give them the requisite strength’.

8. A heartfelt tribute from the country to General Rawat, who made great contribution to the country

General Rawat was a brave Chief of the Indian Defence Forces. He had made great contributions to the Army. He contributed to the security of the country by responding to the unrest in Kashmir, the insurgency in the North-East, the Chinese aggression and the Pakistani aggression on the countries borders. He had worked well at all levels. Now, he was at an ideological level, where work was being done to bring the three forces together. This would greatly increase India’s combat and military capability. The country will never forget his contribution. The country should pay homage to this brave Defence Chief. Jai Hind !

– (Retired) Brigadier Hemant Mahajan, Pune.