CDS Bipin Rawat And Madhulika Rawat's Last Rites To Be Performed On Friday

Bipin Rawat last rites to take place on December 9: The last rites of India's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat will take place on December 10. General Rawat passed away in a tragic helicopter crash on Wednesday. He was accompanied by his wife Madhulika Rawat, who didn't survive the crash either.

The chopper carrying India's CDS and 13 other personnel had crashed near Coorg yesterday afternoon. Only one of the passengers aboard the craft managed to survive the crash. However, it was only in the evening that the Indian Air Force had confirmed the death of General Rawat.

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According to reports, General Rawat's mortal remains, along with that of his wife, will be flown to Delhi by the evening of December 9. Their bodies would be kept at their house on Kamraj Marg from 11am to 2pm the following morning, for people to pay their last respects. Following this, the funeral procession will head for Brar Square crematorium in Delhi Cantonment.

General Rawat's death leaves the country reeling with shock

Around 12: 20 pm on December 8, reports emerged that a Russian made Mi-17 V5 chopper carrying General Rawat, his wife and 12 other defence personnel had crashed shortly after takeoff in Tamil Nadu. The chopper took off from the Air Force base in Sulur, Coimbatore and was headed for Wellington in the Nilgiri Hills. The chopper was expected to land in 10 minutes before the mishap took place. Since the aircraft landed nearly 10 kilometres from the nearest road, the rescue operation became a challenge.

Calling him an outstanding soldier in his tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote that he was "A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti."

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Who was Madhulika Rawat

Rawat was the President of Army Wives Welfare Association, which works for the welfare of wives, children and other dependents of army personnel. Rawat came from the erstwhile royal family of Sohagpur Riyasat in Shahdol district, Madhya Pradesh. Her father Kunwar Mrigendra Singh served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Shahdol district, winning elections in 1967 and 1972. General Bipin Rawat and Madhulika Rawat are survived by two daughters.