Omkar Dattatray
It is very sad and unfortunate that the chief of defense services—CDS passed away in a tragic helicopter crash and it it brought a pall of gloom and grief in the country. The general was on an official trip when the accident took place and it saddened the whole nation. The CDS Bipin Rawat was the first Chief of the army staff who was elevated and appointed as the first chief of the defense services. He along with his wife Madhulika died in the helicopter crash and it is the very sad happening. The general Bipin Rawat had served the army for the four decades and as such he had good experience of managing and controlling the army first in the capacity of the chief of the army staff and after that in the capacity of the first CDS. President, vice President, Prime minister, cabinet ministers and the opposition leaders paid rich tributes to the martyr general Bipin Rawat. President who is the commander in chief of the army has said that nation has lost one of its bravest sons. All the top leaders hailed his contribution to the army and the nation. The president further said while paying the tributes to the CDS general Bipin Rawat that his four decades of the selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. Prime minister Narendra Modi said that General Rawat was an outstanding solider and a true patriot who greatly contributed to the modernization of the Indian army and security apparatus. He said that general Bipin Rawats insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional.
Defense minister Rajnath Singh said that the untimely demise of the CDS Is an irreparable loss to our armed forces and the country. General's service to the nation at the most crucial moments will be remembered for generations to come. In fact the services of the General Bipin Rawat for the modernization, reformation and restructuring of the armed forces cannot be exaggerated .He coordinated and synergized the three services of the army so that at the time of the need they will work in a coordinated manner and this was a challenging and a tough job which he accomplished so easily. The leadership qualities and the qualities of the head and heart of the great general cannot be denied and he provided befitting leadership to the armed forces of the country and these will be remembered for all times to come. General Bipin Rawat has reformed and modernized the three wings of the defense services and also synchronized them so that they can meet the challenges of security when needed. Therefore his contribution to the modernization, reformation, synchronization and restructuring of the three services of the army is a shining epitome of his contribution and it cannot be denied. Though the general got martyrdom but his outstanding services to the army so for as the modernization and reformation of the armed forces is concerned it will not stall but will continue in the defense services. Thus the coordination of the three services will go on in the best interests of the defense forces. He was a man who could take the call when required and back his decision to the hilt. Having soldiered in all tough terrains on our borders, his heart was always with the troops and field commanders in the remotest areas. He was a general who would call a spade a spade and back the reforms needed for eradicating any wrong practices. He had zero tolerance to any moral or financial irregularity. This went a long way to enhance the required traits in the armed forces. This has also made him unpopular to the selfish and cunning serving and retired armed forces and disgruntled elements in the army but he did not bother for this when the service to the army and nation is concerned .The visionary qualities of the general were always at the fore as he shaped and guided the restructuring and modernization of the army. The Rawats legacy will live on for the times to come and continue to guide the army. He had good capacity of making the appropriate decisions and he always led the army to great heights. After the unfortunate Uri attack, he ensured that surgical strikes inside the Pakistani territory with great precision and success and prime minister congratulated him for this great feat. His direction for the surgical strikes and Balakot strikes inside Pakistan has nerved the enemy country as she was brow-beaten. Thus he gave a strong message to the enemy country .The contribution of the General Bipin Rawat in checkmating China and Pakistan is an open book to read .It was because of his directions and efforts that the China had to retreat from Doklam heights and it goes to add to his achievements and this will be remembered for a long time. In militancy hit Kashmir General Bipin Rawat has performed a marvelous job and had given instructions and directions to the army in the operation all out to neutralize the surviving terrorists. The operation all out was carried with a great success and precision under the directions of the general. The general Bipin Rawat has done a marvelous job of connecting the surrendered militants with the national mainstream in the year 2010 when there was peak of militancy in Kashmir .It added a feather to his achievements .He would give directions to the field commanders and then back them to the hilt. He had great leadership qualities and he led the army with determination and grit and because of his leadership qualities he successfully gave directions to the field commanders and accomplished many feats in the trying circumstances. He had also served in the northeast which was infested with militancy and had performed well in combating the militants there .He commanded the trust and confidence of the Prime minister Narendra Modi and this along with the fund of experience of the general was the reason behind his elevation to the newly created coveted post of the CDS .This new assignment was very challenging and tough but he performed the functions of his office very well and coordinated and synergized the three services of the defense services and did a good job in so for as the modernization and reformation is concerned. In fact he was the doyen and pioneer of the modernization and reformation plan in the three services of the defense which he performed very well and earned all round appreciation and praise. His contribution in the modernization of the armed forces is very great as he did a lot of work in the direction of modernizing of the armed forces and also played a great role in reformation and restructuring of the defense services .He coordinated and jointed the three wings of the defense forces and this was a challenging job which performed very well and earned a name for this .The general was touring the borders of the country and was interacting with the army and this way he was giving boost to the morale of the army jawans who are defending our boarders. The nation has lost a senior most military commander in general Bipin Rawat but he will continue to remain a source of inspiration to the three wings of the army. He will also be a source of motivation to the armed forces in the years to come and his vision will manifest in the modernized structure of the armed forces .His legacy will continue to be a torch bearer to the army ,navy and air force in the years to come .May his soul rest in peace and may the almighty give strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss.
(The author is retired education officer and columnist)
