Irreparable Loss, Unforgettable Legacy
July 8, 2025
  • Read Ecopy
  • Circulation
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Organiser
  • ‌
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • International
  • Opinion
  • Op Sindoor
  • More
    • Analysis
    • Sports
    • Defence
    • RSS in News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Special Report
    • Sci & Tech
    • Entertainment
    • G20
    • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
    • Vocal4Local
    • Web Stories
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Law
    • Health
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
MAGAZINE
  • ‌
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • International
  • Opinion
  • Op Sindoor
  • More
    • Analysis
    • Sports
    • Defence
    • RSS in News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Special Report
    • Sci & Tech
    • Entertainment
    • G20
    • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
    • Vocal4Local
    • Web Stories
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Law
    • Health
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
Organiser
  • Home
  • Bharat
  • World
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Editorial
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Culture
  • Defence
  • International Edition
  • RSS in News
  • Magazine
  • Read Ecopy
Home Bharat

Irreparable Loss, Unforgettable Legacy

by Prafulla Ketkar
Dec 13, 2021, 12:35 pm IST
in Bharat, Editorial, Delhi
FacebookTwitterWhatsAppTelegramEmail
"Having seen combat through my years in one of the most professional and capable militaries, I can tell you it is difficult to understand acts of heroism and fearlessness. What drives heroes to put everything they have worked so hard for – their families and their own lives – at stake during an anti-terror operation? What compels a pilot……? What pushes a sailor……? One of Mahatma Gandhi’s lesser-known quotes perfectly captures how we in the armed forces regard acts of courage: Fearlessness is the first requisite of spirituality. Cowards can never be moral.”– General Bipin Rawat, in a forward to  the book India’s Most Fearless  by Shiv Aroor  

 

Bipin Laxman Singh Rawat was not a popular public figure in a typical sense. Still, his sudden demise, with his wife and personal staff in a fatal helicopter crash on December 8, shook the entire nation to the core. What is the legacy of the first CDS of Bharat that brought the whole country to tears?  

General Rawat symbolised the heroism and fearlessness of our Armed Forces. Whether Bharat-China skirmish in the Sumdorong Chu valley in 1987, daring and meticulous surgical strike of 2015 across the border in Myanmar striking down an NSCN-K base or later surgical strikes after Uri or Balakot airstrikes, Gen Rawat was always there as a man of decisive action. He never feared identifying the enemy on all fronts and gave them a reply in the language they understood.

Known for his expertise in counter-insurgency, Gen Rawat was also known as the leader of his soldiers. He trusted the intent of his subordinates and stood by them in difficult times. On the usage of pellet guns, human shields to fight against the stone pelters giving cover to the terrorists or AFSPA, his stand was clear and unapologetic.

His most significant legacy is perhaps the role he played in integrating the Armed Forces by operationalising the office of Chief of Defence Staff. As the first CDS, he undertook the task of synergising security strategies of various theatre commands and wings of the Armed Forces. He was also instrumental in accelerating the process of defence modernisation and procurement. Though political leadership took most of these decisions, the execution was by Gen Rawat. He had commanded the confidence of the political leadership to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces.  

The investigation process about the helicopter crash must go on, and the truth must come out. As of now, the grieving nation should celebrate this legacy and ensure that the tasks initiated by the first CDS of Bharat are taken forward to secure the nation internally and externally.

A Failed Idea Called Pakistan

When Bharat was mourning the sudden demise of its first CDS Gen Rawat, many Pakistani social media handles were celebrating. Though Pakistan officially delivered a condolence message, the helicopter crash was celebrated in Pakistan by and large. While depicting this accident as the bravery of the Pakistan Army, they forgot that the idea of Pakistan itself was crashed fifty years ago. The liberation of Bangladesh from the humanitarian abuses of the then West Pakistan was not just a victory of Bharat and Bengali Nationalism; it was also a colossal failure of the idea of Pakistan – a State based on religion. Since then, nothing has changed in the remaining part of Pakistan. The human rights of minorities, religious and linguistics, are still trampled. The non-Sunni sects within Islam do not find any space. Gender discrimination is still rampant. The Military still functions as a business house. The only changed things are increased radicalisation and penetrated Chinese debt trap. Fifty years ago, 93 thousand soldiers were released by Bharat after the signing of the Instrument of Surrender by General Niazi. Instead of rejoicing over the unfortunate accident, Pakistan should introspect over the failed idea of nationhood.

Prafulla Ketkar

Prafulla Ketkar, is the Editor, Organiser (Weekly) since 2013. He has a experience of over 20 years in the fields of research, media and academics. He is also Advisory Committee School of Journalism, Delhi University. He has been writing on issues related to International politics and foreign policy, with special reference to China and Democracy, Hindutva, and Bharatiya Civilisation. He was also a member of the Editorial team of the recently published Complete Works of Pt Deendayal Ji in 15 Volumes. He has 2 books, 29 academic articles, 2 entries in Encyclopedia of India and numerous articles to his credit.

  • Prafulla Ketkar
    https://organiser.org/author/prafulla-ketkar/
    Aug 19, 2019, 11:17 am IST
    “It just took one Modi for Article 370 to go”: Ram Madhav, General Secretary, BJP
  • Prafulla Ketkar
    https://organiser.org/author/prafulla-ketkar/
    Aug 2, 2021, 02:18 pm IST
    The Herculean Task of Nationalising Education
  • Prafulla Ketkar
    https://organiser.org/author/prafulla-ketkar/
    Aug 9, 2021, 12:46 pm IST
    The Dangers of ‘Changed Taliban’
  • Prafulla Ketkar
    https://organiser.org/author/prafulla-ketkar/
    Sep 1, 2021, 02:59 pm IST
    Taliban Takeover Pulls Off Many Masks
ShareTweetSendShareSend
✮ Subscribe Organiser YouTube Channel. ✮
✮ Join Organiser's WhatsApp channel for Nationalist views beyond the news. ✮
Previous News

‘New India’ politics: Rahul Gandhi confides in Sanjay Raut, slams Azad

Next News

Brave hearts of copter crash being cremated across India

Related News

Karnataka: Massive APMC auction scam unearthed, officials accused of corruption and nepotism

Amarnath yatra pilgrims join aarti on the banks of Tawi river

Spiritual Fervour in J&K: Amarnath yatra pilgrims join aarti on the banks of Tawi river

Amit Shah Lays Foundation of India’s First Cooperative University in Gujarat’s Anand

Tribhuvan Sahkari University: India’s first National Cooperative Varsity launched to transform the cooperative sector

Five members of a family were allegedly burnt alive by villagers in Bihar over suspicions of witchcraft

Purnia Witchcraft Deaths: “Could not believe it,” says family member of 5 people burnt alive in Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the session on ‘Environment, COP30, and Global Health’ at the 17th BRICS Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 7, 2025

India to host 18th BRICS summit in 2026, gets backing for UNSC seat & climate leadership

Kangra, Jul 06 (ANI): Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama during his 90th birth anniversary celebrations, at Dharamshala in Kangra on Sunday. (@RijijuOffice X/ANI Photo)

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Turns 90: A legacy of compassion and wisdom

Load More

Comments

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Organiser. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.

Latest News

Karnataka: Massive APMC auction scam unearthed, officials accused of corruption and nepotism

Amarnath yatra pilgrims join aarti on the banks of Tawi river

Spiritual Fervour in J&K: Amarnath yatra pilgrims join aarti on the banks of Tawi river

Amit Shah Lays Foundation of India’s First Cooperative University in Gujarat’s Anand

Tribhuvan Sahkari University: India’s first National Cooperative Varsity launched to transform the cooperative sector

Five members of a family were allegedly burnt alive by villagers in Bihar over suspicions of witchcraft

Purnia Witchcraft Deaths: “Could not believe it,” says family member of 5 people burnt alive in Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the session on ‘Environment, COP30, and Global Health’ at the 17th BRICS Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 7, 2025

India to host 18th BRICS summit in 2026, gets backing for UNSC seat & climate leadership

Kangra, Jul 06 (ANI): Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama during his 90th birth anniversary celebrations, at Dharamshala in Kangra on Sunday. (@RijijuOffice X/ANI Photo)

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Turns 90: A legacy of compassion and wisdom

A representative image

Atmanirbhar Bharat and its Toy Story: How we went from importing to exporting to 153 countries in just 8 years

Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Govt launches massive mandir revival drive to reclaim Sanatan Dharma heritage in Purvanchal

Hu Jintao, Ex- Chinese president and main rival of Xi, can be seen being escorted out of a key Communist Party meeting during a five-yearly leadership reshuffle apparently at Xi Jinping's behest.

China: Xi Jinping losing power as military purge, health rumours & party rift signal leadership shake-up in CCP

Beyond Diplomacy: PM Modi presents symbolic gifts highlighting India's artistry & spirituality to world leaders

PM Modi showcases cultural heritage of Bharat with Ayodhya Ram mandir replica, madhubani art to world leaders

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Cookie Policy
  • Refund and Cancellation
  • Delivery and Shipping

© Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
Tech-enabled by Ananthapuri Technologies

  • Home
  • Search Organiser
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • North America
    • South America
    • Europe
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Defence
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Business
  • RSS in News
  • Entertainment
  • More ..
    • Sci & Tech
    • Vocal4Local
    • Special Report
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Law
    • Economy
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
  • Subscribe Magazine
  • Read Ecopy
  • Advertise
  • Circulation
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Policies & Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Refund and Cancellation
    • Terms of Use

© Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
Tech-enabled by Ananthapuri Technologies