Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami honored the late General Bipin Rawat, India s first Chief of Defence Staff, on his death anniversary at Dehradun s military base. The tribute took place at Rawat s statue, inaugurated by CM Dhami in April. Constructed by the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority at a cost of Rs 50 lakhs, the memorial commemorates General Rawat, a decorated officer who led the 19 Infantry Division before becoming CDS. He tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, in December 2021, alongside his wife and 11 others.
General Bipin Rawat, India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), was posthumously conferred Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award on Monday (March 21). His daughters Kritika and Tarini received the prestigious award from Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on the CDS' behalf.
General Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 12 other defence force personnel were killed in a helicopter crash on December 8. The accident happened when an IAF helicopter Mi-17V5, carrying the defence chief crashed in southern India near the town of Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.