President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday extended condolences over the death of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others in a chopper crash earlier in the day in the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu.
The Indian Air Force confirmed on Wednesday evening that Gen Rawat, who was India's first Chief of Defence Staff, and his wife Madhulika Rawat were among the 13 persons who died in the fatal chopper crash.
"I am shocked and anguished over the untimely demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika ji. The nation has lost one of its bravest sons. His four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family," said the President.
I am shocked and anguished over the untimely demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika ji. The nation has lost one of its bravest sons. His four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 8, 2021
"It's deeply painful for me to learn of the loss of lives in the chopper crash. I join the fellow citizens in paying tributes to each of those who died while performing their duty. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," added President Kovind.
In a tweet, PM Modi said, "I am deeply anguished by the helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in which we have lost Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces. They served India with utmost diligence. My thoughts are with the bereaved families."
Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/YOuQvFT7Et
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2021
"Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti," said the prime minister.
"As India's first CDS, Gen Rawat worked on diverse aspects relating to our armed forces including defence reforms. He brought with him a rich experience of serving in the Army. India will never forget his exceptional service," added PM Modi.
Union home minister Amit Shah called Gen Rawat "one of the bravest soldiers" and said his contributions "cannot be put into words".
"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," said Mr Shah.
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.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 8, 2021
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the "untimely death" of Gen Rawat is an "irreparable loss" for the Armed Forces of the country.
"Deeply anguished by the sudden demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel in an extremely unfortunate helicopter accident today in Tamil Nadu. His untimely death is an irreparable loss to our Armed Forces and the country," he said in a tweet.
Deeply anguished by the sudden demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel in an extremely unfortunate helicopter accident today in Tamil Nadu.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 8, 2021
His untimely death is an irreparable loss to our Armed Forces and the country.
In separate tweets, the minister said, "General Rawat had served the country with exceptional courage and diligence. As the first Chief of Defence Staff he had prepared plans for jointness of our Armed Forces."
"My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this accident. Praying for the speedy recovery of Gp Capt Varun Singh, who is currently under treatment at the Military Hospital, Wellington," added Mr Singh.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called it an "unprecedented tragedy" and extended condolences to the family of Gen Rawat.
I extend my condolences to the family of Gen Bipin Rawat and his wife.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 8, 2021
This is an unprecedented tragedy and our thoughts are with their family in this difficult time.
Heartfelt condolences also to all others who lost their lives.
India stands united in this grief.
"I extend my condolences to the family of Gen Bipin Rawat and his wife. This is an unprecedented tragedy and our thoughts are with their family in this difficult time. Heartfelt condolences also to all others who lost their lives. India stands united in this grief," tweeted Mr Gandhi.
Following are the condolences tweeted by the vice president, ministers and other leaders:
Deeply shocked by the tragic death of Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his spouse Smt. Madhulika Rawat, senior officials of the armed forces & others in a helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/6L6sxVtwbh
— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) December 8, 2021
Deeply pained by the sudden demise of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife & 11 other Armed Forces personnel in an unfortunate helicopter accident today in Tamil Nadu.Huge loss to the nation.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) December 8, 2021
I salute Gen Rawat for his outstanding services. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families.
Deeply disturbed to know about the demise of CDS General #BipinRawat, his wife & other armed forces officials in an unfortunate Mi-17 helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu.
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) December 8, 2021
I join our nation in mourning the loss of one of India's finest soldiers. My condolences to his family & friends. pic.twitter.com/kPskrFre6z
Shocked and saddened to hear about the demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat. He had a highly decorated career and his service in the defence field over the past four decades will always be remembered.
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) December 8, 2021
My heartfelt condolences to his family.#BipinRawat
Deeply shocked at tragic demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat and his wife.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 8, 2021
We worked closely together in the last few years. It is a huge loss to the nation.
The unfortunate crash has truly left all of us saddened beyond words.
— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) December 8, 2021
On behalf of all of Karnataka, my condolences to the family of our CDS #BipinRawat and Madhulika Rawat and all the officers on board that ill-fated chopper. https://t.co/eqMLgyPhB6
Pained by the untimely demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel in the tragic accident in Coonoor today.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 8, 2021
The entire nation mourns this irreparable loss. We will always remember the courage and devotion with which he served our nation.
Very tragic, terrible & extremely painful !
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 8, 2021
We lost our first Chief of Defence Staff CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat ji in an unfortunate accident in Tamil Nadu.
Deepest condolences.
Nation mourns this huge and irreparable loss.#BipinRawat pic.twitter.com/2EnfoEpsWu
Deeply saddened by the demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen #BipinRawat, his wife & 11 other Defence personnel in a very tragic accident in #TamilNadu. It is an irreparable loss to the nation. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish speedy recovery of the injured.
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) December 8, 2021
Extremely disturbed by the news of the Army chopper crash in TN. Praying for the safety of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat ji.
— YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) December 8, 2021
Deepest condolences to the families of the victims. May they find strength in this difficult time.
Deepest condolences on the untimely passing of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, Army officials who accompanied them and crew of the IAF helicopter involved in the unfortunate accident. Kerala joins the nation in sharing the grief of their near and dear ones. pic.twitter.com/fiD388xoxp
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) December 8, 2021
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