When Gen Bipin Rawat survived a 2015 helicopter crash

General Bipin Rawat’s
news has shocked the nation, and the world, as India’s first Chief of Defence
Staff has been involved in a serious accident. The IAF helicopter he was in,
crashed in Tamil Nadu. While the general’s current condition remains unknown,
this is not the first time that he has been in a helicopter crash.

In 2015, when Rawat
was a Lieutenant General, he was involved in a Cheetah helicopter accident in
Dimapur. It crashed minutes after taking off. The cause was determined to be
engine failure, and they had barely climbed 20 meters before losing control. At
the time, General Rawat sustained minor injuries. Along with him were two
pilots and a colonel, who also survived the crash.

Also Read | Who is Madhulika Rawat, wife of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat?

During his long and
distinguished career, General Rawat has several accomplishments to be proud of.
At the same time, he has also courted controversy through various statements. These
include comments officers abusing disability benefits, and a call to have
guidelines for retired army officials as well. Most recently his condemnation
of the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests drew public outrage. Despite
being a divisive figure, the sad news of the accident has drawn sympathy from everyone.

Also Read | Who is General Bipin Rawat?

General Rawat comes
from a family dedicated to the army and was commissioned to join the 5th
battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifles, in 1978. He was on his way to the Defence
Services Staff College in Wellington, from Coimbatore, when the helicopter
crashed. Reports suggest it was already making its descent at the time.

The government has notified
that a formal statement will be issued on the matter of the helicopter crash tomorrow. In
the meanwhile, Rajnath Singh, the Minister of Defence was spotted visiting and
leaving General Rawat’s residence. There will also be a formal inquiry into today’s tragic
crash to determine the cause as well as accountability.