The final rites of former Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat were performed in Delhi late last evening. The General might have departed for the higher abode, but his legacy continues to live on. From the ‘Veera Vanakkam’ salute in Tamil Nadu to several individuals running alongside the vehicle carrying his body, wanting to pay their obeisance to the country’s son – Bipin Rawat has etched his name in people’s hearts.
While the CDS was a people’s man, he didn’t compromise upon anything when it came to securing the borders of the country. He was a hard taskmaster who had set morals and only kept the interests of the army and the country at the forefront.
Here we have compiled a list of moments of brilliance where CDS Rawat showed, he was the boss indeed and not the one to be messed with.
The 2.5 front war:
CDS Rawat was the first person to coin the term ‘Two and a half front war”. He talked about facing Pakistan and China on two fronts while having to battle internal enemies masquerading as imminent intellectuals.
In an interview with news agency ANI, CDS Rawat remarked, “Indian Army is fully ready for a two and a half front war,”
He further added how the ‘0.5 front’ was being developed, “Pakistan is spreading disinformation among the youth of Kashmir with doctored videos and messages. This is further supported by some of the people in the valley who spread it and glamorize the young boys who have joined terrorist organisations,”
Do not consider Army as a source of employment only:
Breaking the utopia of a few who believed that landing a job in the army meant living freely on the benefits, the General did not hold back in his statements.
Warning that the Indian Army should not be looked upon as a job provider organisation, he said, “It has been seen that people consider Indian Army as an avenue for employment only. I want to warn you, remove this misconception from your minds. The Army is not a means of employment. If you want to join the Army, you have to show physical and mental toughness. You should have the ability to face difficulties,”
Don’t feign disability or face repercussions:
Regarding some rotten apples of the army looking to cash in on the benefits of disability, General Rawat was as strict as they come. He cleared the air that if an individual was found trying to bend the laws, he would not be receiving good news.
“If a soldier is truly disabled, we will pay special attention to them and help them fully, even financially. But, those who falsely call themselves ‘disabled’ and make their disability a way to earn money, I am warning them today, that you better mend your ways otherwise in a few days you might receive special instructions from the Army Headquarters, which will not be good news for you,”
We will bury them 2.5 feet into the ground:
Talking about the terrorists infiltrating the borders, the late CDS had famously remarked, “Infiltrations will continue to occur. The terrorists across the border are ready and so are we. They will cross but we are here receiving them. After receiving them, we will continue to bury them 2.5 feet deep into the ground,”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmVIpUyjyrs
It was under his tenure that the Indian Army conducted a surgical strike across Pakistan, destroying hundreds of terrorist launch pads. Earlier, he had planned the surgical strike over Myanmar where NSCN-K terrorists were killed, while the Indian forces did not receive a single casualty.
Tell Pakistan to stop terrorism and we will become Neeraj Chopra:
During a press meet, a reporter gave the example of Olympian Neeraj Chopra posing for a photo with a Pakistani athlete after winning the gold medal and asked if the CDS would show similar sportsmanship with Pakistani PM Imran Khan who is also a sportsperson.
The CDS intently heard the question and replied in a crisp manner, “It depends on them. The initiative should be from their side. And the initiative should be stopping terrorism. If they stop terrorism, we will become Neeraj Chopra as well,”
Face criticism or be surrounded by ‘Chamchas’: CDS Bipin Rawat:
After the helicopter crash news broke out, several veterans of the armed forces showed their mental ineptitude by rejoicing and praying for Rawat’s death.
Akin to any professional field, Army is not immune to jealousy amongst the ranks. However, the CDS knew about it and never cared for it.
“I have also faced ‘hamla’ (attack) from my organization. I don’t get concerned about. As you rise higher in ranks and develop leadership mantle in the army. You have to be prepared to face criticism. Otherwise, if you are not prepared to face criticism, you will only be surrounded by ‘Chamchas’ (Bootlickers) around you,”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyRA8gMoOC4
Read More: Lt. Gen. H.S. Panag declared Gen. Bipin Rawat dead even before official confirmation
Armymen should be politically aware:
When asked if he was a political chief and that army should speak less, the CDS replied, “We do understand where we get politicized. I have always said you need to be politically aware. I do have to cast my franchise. I do go and cast my vote too. If I’m not politically aware, do I just go and cast my vote to NOTA? Then the entire defence service would just be supporting stamp on NOTA.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkRZu6sT_Y0
Indian Army is conservative. Period. – CDS Bipin Rawat:
Unlike the US army, which has been bitten by the plague of wokeism, CDS Rawat throughout his tenure argued that Homosexuality and adultery were unacceptable in the military.
When asked about the army’s stand on the decriminalisation of consenting adult relationships pertaining to those outside of marriage, he responded,“We are conservative. We have neither modernised nor westernised. LGBT issues are not acceptable in the army…and we will not allow this thing [adultery] to perpetrate in the army.”
Although Rawat said that the Army is not above the country’s law, he explained that certain rights that are given to civilians cannot be applicable to the armed forces.
“A soldier on the border cannot be worried about his family. He has to be reasonably assured that his family is being cared for. Same thing about LGBT issues, it is not acceptable in the army. We will still deal with them under various sections of the Army Act.”
The woke brigade of the country hated him for his statements but CDS Rawat was not the one to be trifled with. He simply didn’t pay any heed to the liberal brigade and continued to strengthen the army.
The woke agendas regarding homosexuality can only be implemented in the army when they have been implemented in other spheres of civil society. Until then, the army will continue to be conservative.
CDS Bipin Rawat was a man of sheer determination. His life story is one for the history books and his legacy, one to be cherished for the years to come.