Life History and Education
General Bipin Rawat was the first Chief of Defence Staff in India and was born on March 16, 1958, in Pauri, Uttarakhand. He came from a highly placed military legacy, with his father, Laxman Singh Rawat, being a Lieutenant General in the Indian Army. This victory march in service life influenced Bipin Rawat’s holistic maturation and later growing aspirations.
Bipin Rawat attended Cambrian Hall School, Dehradun, and later St. Edward’s School, Shimla. He was a brilliant student and a natural leader. His schooling groomed him in the habit of discipline and further inspired him to emulate his father.
High School and College
After schooling, Rawat joined the elite National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla. Life at the NDA demanded gruelling training and only furthered his commitment to a dedicated life in the armed forces. He passed out from the NDA to get commissioned into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, where he continued his pursuit of excellence, finally receiving the ‘Sword of Honour,’ presented to the best all-round cadet in the passing out batch.
Early Military Career
Bipin Rawat was commissioned to the 5th battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles in December 1978, the same unit towards which his father served. In his early military career, he served in several challenging fields and operational areas, including the Line of Actual Control and counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
As part of his career, General Rawat gained varied experience through key appointments in the Indian Army. He commanded a company in Uri, Jammu, and Kashmir, an infantry battalion in the Eastern sector along the LAC at Kibithu, an infantry division in the Kashmir Valley, and a corps in the Northeast. His vast experience in high-altitude warfare and counter-insurgency operations has earned him respect and recognition.
Notable Achievements
General Bipin Rawat’s career has been replete with many notable achievements and strategic initiatives. As the GOC-in-C, Southern Command, he has overseen several modernization and welfare programmes for the Indian Army. His role in maintaining strategic patience and diplomacy during the Doklam standoff in 2017 with China was commendable.
Rawat was appointed as the 27th Chief of Army Staff in December 2016. As COAS, his term was marked by far-reaching reforms and an orientation towards operational preparedness. He insisted on a robust and agile military that could effectively respond to all threats and challenges.
Becoming the First Chief of Defence Staff
On December 30 2019, General Bipin Rawat was appointed the first Chief of Defence Staff of the newly created position to increase coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. He assumed charge on January 1 2020, a historic moment in Indian military history.
General Rawat was appointed CDS to facilitate the integration and modernization of the Indian Armed Forces. He has played a major role in formulating joint doctrines for the military forces and procurement processes. By improving the operable synergy among the three wings, he envisioned creating a lean, efficient military structure capable of meeting the security challenges of the day.
General Bipin Rawat had the reputation of being upfront and no-nonsense. He had a tenacious sense of duty and bonding with his troops. In his leadership style, he led from the front and took hard decisions wherever and whenever they were needed.
He is survived by his wife, Madhulika Rawat, who is the President, AWWA. He is survived by his wife and two daughters Comparatively, his career was exceptionally taxing.
Tragic Demise
The illustrious career of General Bipin Rawat saw an abrupt end during the tragic helicopter crash on December 8, 2021, as he, along with his wife and some other 12 military personnel, succumbed to death near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. That was a moment of unthinkable grief for the nation, as it had lost one of its most renowned, highly professional, and visionary military leaders.
Legacy and Impact
The legacy left behind by General Bipin Rawat has been transformative in leadership and a firm commitment to strengthening defence capabilities. His contribution toward the modernization of the Indian Armed Forces and his role in finally promoting a joint theatre shall be remembered through generations.
He once said that “Victory doesn’t come cheap; we also have to carry some burden.” Well, his words certainly depict his understanding of sacrifice that needs to be made for national security and sovereignty to be maintained.
Conclusion
The life and career of General Bipin Rawat are a mark of his unwavering commitment to the nation and the Indian Armed Forces. His journey from his childhood in Uttarakhand to India’s first Chief of Defence Staff has been filled with bravery, strategy, and an inexorable zest for excellence.
His story reminds us of the enormous sacrifices military leaders make and how they dedicate themselves to the safety and security of their nations. General Rawat’s legacy has been most inspiring in leading the path to future generations of soldiers and leaders with service and patriotism at their best.
In the words of General Bipin Rawat, “Army is not just a job; it is a way of life.” His life and career are, hence, an illuminating instance of what it takes to serve honourably, with fervent commitment, and without a shadow of rejection of duty.