Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat was on board the Indian Air Force helicopter whish crashed in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on December 8. His wife, Madhulika Rawat was among the 14 people present on the helicopter.
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Earlier it was reported that 13 people were been confirmed dead. There is no information about General Rawat or his wife. Two people with severe injuries were taken to the hospital in Wellington cantonment in Nilgiris district for treatment. The rescue operations are underway. Identities of the dead bodies were to be confirmed after DNA testing.
As per reports, the mortal remains of General Rawat and his wife will be brought to Delhi in a military plane from Coimbatore. Before that there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at Wellington. The bodies will be brought to General Rawat's residence where people will be able to pay their last respects between 11 am to 2 pm. The funeral procession will start from Kamraj Marg to Brar Square crematorium in Delhi Cantonment.
After the death of the General and his wife was confirmed by IAF, tributes starting coming from quarters. Many important meetings including the one of President of India were cancelled. President Ram Nath Kovind expressed shock and anguish over the death of the Defence Chief and his wife. He said that the nation has lost of its bravest sons. "His four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family."
The official handle of Indian Air Force tweeted, "With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is going to make a Parliamentary statement on the incident on December 9.
ANI reported that Rawat, his wife, an IAF pilot, defence assistant and security commandos were travelling in the Mi-series chopper which crashed between Coimbatore and Sulur in Tamil Nadu. They were going to the Defence Staff College in Wellington from Indian Air Force base in Sulur near Coimbatore for a lecture scheduled at 3 pm. CDS Rawat had boarded the flight from Delhi on Wednesday with eighth other people.
Who Is Madhulika Rawat?
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General Rawat's wife is reportedly the President of Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA). The organisation helps in welfare of wives, dependents of Army personnel and children. Madhulika Rawat has worked in several welfare programmes and campaigns for the aid of Army widows and persons with disability. She has encouraged many take up courses such as knitting, bag making among others to make them financially independent, according to India TV.
According to reported visuals, the IAF helicopters was in massive flames and locals were seen helping the injured persons with the rescue team. Dead bodies were seen on the hills. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin had directed the local authorities to provide medical care to the injured passengers. They will be treated at the Coonoor government hospital by doctors sent from Coimbatore. The Chief Minister is also going to reach the spot where the helicopter fell down. The Indian Air Force in its official statement on Twitter confirmed the incident and said that an enquiry has been ordered to find out what caused the accident.
"An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident," the IAF tweeted.
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