New Delhi: India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat who lost his life in the IAF helicopter air crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu will be cremated today with full military honours.
The tribute programme will be held at Rawat’s official Kamraj Lane residence. From 11 am to 12:30 pm civil dignitaries will pay their homage.
From 12:30 pm to 2 pm, military officials and Jawans will pay tribute to General Rawat. This will be followed by a military procession from 2 pm to 4 pm. At around 4 pm, the funeral will take place at the Brar Square Crematorium in Delhi Cantonment.
Gen Bipin Rawat Last Rites LIVE Updates: CDS' Mortal Remains Kept At His Delhi Residence
Last night the mortal remains of General Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others on board who died in the helicopter crash on Wednesday were flown from Sulur to Palam Airbase in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the nation in paying tribute to CDS General Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat and 11 others.
Later, PM Modi took to Twitter to pay his tributes. In his tweet, PM wrote, “Paid my last respects to Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces. India will never forget their rich contribution.”
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General MM Naravane, Naval Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, Air Chief Marshal AVR Chaudhari, Defence secretary Ajay Kumar were among the people who paid their tribute at Palam Airport.
General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others lost their lives when an Indian Air Force Mi-17V-5 helicopter with 14 people on board crashed in the Nilgiri Hills near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.
The Russian made helicopter bound for the Defence Staff Services College in Wellington crashed shortly after it took off from Sulur Army Base in Coimbatore.