"Scholar soldier, military reformer with ability to envisage future": Army Vice Chief on Gen Bipin Rawat

New Delhi [India], December 8 : Remembering India's first chief of defence staff late General Bipin Rawat on his third death anniversary, Indian Army Vice Chief Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani on Sunday termed him as "a scholar soldier and a military reformer with an exceptional ability to envisage the future."
"Today we are commemorating the tragic loss of General Bipin Rawat. It's three years since we have lost this valiant patriot, a competent military strategist and a leader par excellence...Today's event is a tribute to the imposing legacy of one of the greatest leaders and military professionals in the country," Raja Subramani said at an event here remembering Gen Rawat.
"General Rawat was a scholar soldier and a military reformer with an exceptional ability to envisage the future. He was a flamboyant leader, yet he had a carefully thought out leadership style which endured him not only to the Indian army but to the nation at large," he added.
The Army Vice Chief said that in a distinguished career spanning over four decades, General Rawat's achievements were remarkable in all aspects of military and national security affairs.
"Known for his unwavering commitment to duty, razor-sharp strategic acumen, and extraordinary vision, Gen Rawat was more than a soldier. He was an institution in himself. His journey, replete with challenges and triumphs, is a masterclass in leadership," he said.
Speaking at the event, Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Vice Admiral Atul Anand said that he had the privilege of witnessing General Rawat's determined approach, result-oriented attitude and exemplary leadership.

"Although our professional paths, in the beginning, did not cross each other because we were from different services, the opportunity to interact with him arose when I was appointed as the Assessing Chief of Naval Staff for Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence at Naval Headquarters. I got great insights into his thinking which transcended from the tactical to the strategic level, his ideas about bringing about change in the armed forces, civil-military relations, international relations, interservice relations and many more such subjects," Atul Anand said.
He said that General Rawat was always ready to change the status quo and approach operational challenges with a different mindset.
"We are all aware that as the Army Chief, he was very clear about the military's strategic response on our western borders. It was his belief that a strong punitive action along the line of control and physical domination was the only way to moderate our neighbour's behaviour," he said.
On December 8, 2021, General Rawat along with his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.
During his illustrious service, India's first CDS was conferred with PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM and Padma Vibhushan (posthumously).
He was a visionary leader and a scholar soldier, known for his professionalism, principles, conviction and During his four decades in service, General Rawat had gained vast operational experience in the full spectrum of warfare.