Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh lead tributes as CDS General Bipin Rawat passes away in helicopter crash
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After CDS General Bipin Rawat's sudden demise, Virat Kohli wrote, "Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of CDS Bipin Rawat ji and other officials in a tragic helicopter crash. My deepest condolences to the friends & family members."
On Wednesday (December 8), India lost one of its selfless servants Chief Defence of Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat in a tragic incident. Rawat succumbed to injuries when a Mi-17V5 chopper -- comprising him and his wife Madhulika Rawat -- crashed in Coonoor in the state of Tamil Nadu. The chopper, carrying Gen Rawat and his entourage, crashed in foggy conditions that led to the death of 13 people on board, claimed the IAF and other officials. Only one person survived the crash and is undergoing treated in a hospital.
Sharing the sad news with one and all, IAF said in a tweet, "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." As soon as the news spread like wildfire, Indian sports personalities such as Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Wasim Jaffer, Rani Rampal, Sharath Kamal and many others paid tributes and expressed their condolences on social media platform Twitter. Here's how many stars reacted:
Kohli wrote, "Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of CDS Bipin Rawat ji and other officials in a tragic helicopter crash. My deepest condolences to the friends & family members."
Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of CDS Bipin Rawat ji and other officials in a tragic helicopter crash. My deepest condolences to the friends & family members.
β Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 8, 2021
An irreparable loss to the nation. Saddened by the tragic demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat, CDS, Mrs. Rawat and 11 others on board the helicopter. Condolences to the families of the bereaved. Om Shanti. ππ½
β Sharath Kamal OLY (@sharathkamal1) December 8, 2021
Sehwag wrote on Twitter, "Extremely pained to hear about the passing away of Shri #BipinRawat , his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 army personnel in the tragic helicopter crash. Gratitude for his wonderful service to the nation. Om Shanti."
Extremely pained to hear about the passing away of Shri #BipinRawat , his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 army personnel in the tragic helicopter crash. Gratitude for his wonderful service to the nation. Om Shanti ππΌπΈ pic.twitter.com/XoCK64Q9wg
β Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 8, 2021
This is so tragic. Heart goes out to the family of Gen Bipin Rawat and Mrs. Madhulika Rawat. My deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident. May God give them strength to cope with this loss ππ» https://t.co/TMSUEpMlSk
β Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 8, 2021
Deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat, his wife Mrs. Madhulika Rawat and 11 other personnel of our armed forces. My deepest condolences to their families and well-wishers ππ»
β Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) December 8, 2021
Deeply shocked by the tragic news about the helicopter crash near Conoor. My deepest condolences on the demise of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat sir and all other persons who have lost life in this incident. #RIPBipinRawat ππ pic.twitter.com/YoKN87mbp3
β Rani Rampal (@imranirampal) December 8, 2021
ALSO READ | Gen Bipin Rawat biography: India's first Chief of Defence Staff led a life dedicated to the nation
For the unversed, the 63-year-old Rawat was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington as he had to address the faculty and student officers of the staff course before the fatal accident led to his death. PM Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Rawat and tweeted saying, "Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. 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."