Lest we Forget!

So Sudden! So Tragic!!

It is often said an unforeseen calamity is better than knowing and going through the pain of one that is expected to happen. Well, I am not so sure – any tragedy is tragic – an unbearable irreplaceable loss for one!

India suffered an immense loss recently following the MI17V5 Air Force chopper crash incident near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on December 8, 2021. Aboard the chopper were 14 people, which included 10 passengers and 4 crew members. The crash left the country with an irreparable loss of 13 individuals killed in the accident – CDS General Bipin Rawat, General Rawat’s wife Madhulika Rawat, Brig LS Lidder, Lt. Col. Harjinder Singh, Wg Commander PS Chauhan, Sqn Leader K Singh, JWO Das, JWO Pradeep A, Hav Satpal, NK Gursewak Singh, NK Jitender Kumar, Vivek Kumar, L/Nk Sai Teja. We pray for a stable and speedy recovery of the lone survivor, Group Captain Varun Singh, Shaurya Chakra awardee, who’s been shifted from Wellington to Bengaluru for treatment this morning.

General Bipin Laxman Singh Rawat PVSM UYSM AVSM YSM SM VSM ADC, the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces is known for his exceptional and outstanding service to the country. The man who started his service on 16th December 1978 and continued serving till he breathed his last on 8th December 2021, was honored with Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, and Param Vishisht Seva Medal. From Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Chief of the Army Staff, to the Chief of Defence Staff, the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the Indian military, Gen Rawat progressed from post to post inspiring the many jawans, so much so that it led to the creation of an entirely new role of the CDS, to enhance the coordination between the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. The commander went forward with an overall goal of military integration and spirits to keep the morale of the troops high. 

Definitely, a reason to mourn, not only domestically but globally; definitely a setback, not just for the nation, but for the bereaved families, who I must say are very much part of the military as are the Armed Forces personnel. 

With a lot to express but not many words justifying the same, we’d end here praying for the peace of the souls we lost, eventual processing of the grief by their families and friends, and the healing of Captain Singh. We also hope for their ever remembrance in the hearts of one and all.

RIP the heroes!

Avani Raj Arora