On the afternoon of December 9, 2021, India faced the unimaginable loss of Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Bipin Rawat, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM and ADC, his wife Madullika Rawat, and 11 brave soldiers. Appointed in 2019, as the first Chief of Defence Staff, a position created to unify the Army, Navy and Air Force, he had momentous plans ahead. Despite umpteen resistances, he advocated for Made-in-India military equipment, and ensured that it happened.
THE LEGACY
During his illustrious tenure as officer, he was a thorough fighter and received numerous merits and awards, such as the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, the COAS Commendation (twice), and the Army Commander’s Commendation.
THE IPA
Among his many roles, he was president of the Indian Polo Association (torchbearer of polo scene in India) until 2019. Over this trajectory, he embarked on many milestones. Most recently, it was the initiative to renovate the Jaipur Polo Grounds, to be at par with international standards. This was a pivotal upgrade for Indian polo as it improved players’ and equine performance and helped in the reduction of injuries. He oversaw the agreement with the Argentinian Polo Association, focused on enhancing skills of Indian polo players through player exchange programs, bilateral tournaments and training for budding polo players by Argentinian veterans. In 2018, he ensured that the IPA recognized Manipur as the origin of modern polo and included Manipur Polo as an important entity of the games which would promote Manipur at the international level.
HIS FIGHTING SPIRIT
In 2019, he allocated 10 extra horses for the 61st Cavalry Regiment which was instrumental in developing polo efficacy within the regiment. A senior military officer, in an interview with Times of India on December 9, mentioned: “If you knew your stuff and spoke with conviction, he would always listen intently.” He also supported the fight against COVID, monetarily through his gracious donations to PM CARES, as well as by providing moral support by his diligent quarantine-centre visits. His bravado and ambitious spirit live on, among his near and dear ones, who are taking his dream of a better India forward!
