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Farewell, General Rawat: India bids teary goodbye to 13 braves

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Amrutha Pagad
Amrutha PagadDec 10, 2021 | 15:39

Farewell, General Rawat: India bids teary goodbye to 13 braves

The final rites of the 13 deceased in the Tamil Nadu helicopter crash, including that of Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, are being held today, December 10, in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the families of the deceased, and several other dignitaries paid their respects, as a stunned nation bade a teary goodbye to the 13 braves.

Here are the latest updates on the story:

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INDIA BIDS ADIEU TO CDS BIPIN RAWAT 

PM MODI PAYS TRIBUTES TO THE DECEASED

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at the Palam Airbase on December 9 evening to pay his tributes to CDS Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat, Wing Commander Prithvi  Singh Chauhan, Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh, Junior Warrant Officer Rana Pratap Das, Junior Warrant Officer Arakkal Pradeep, Havildar Satpal Rai, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitendra Kumar, Lance Naik Vivek Kumar and Lance Naik B Sai Teja; who perished in the Tamil Nadu chopper crash. After paying his respects, PM Modi said that India will never forget their contributions.

The three military chiefs – Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Admiral Hari Kumar and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari were also at Palam to pay their last respects to the deceased.

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HOME MINISTER, DIGNITARIES AT CDS RESIDENCE

This morning, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, NSA Ajit Doval, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several other dignitaries from across the country also paid their respects to the deceased.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah lays the wreath at the residence of CDS Rawat. Photo: PTI

FAMILY SAYS GOODBYE TO CDS RAWAT AND MADHULIKA RAWAT 

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CDS Bipin Rawat and wife Madhulika Rawat died in the tragic IAF chopper crash. File photo: PTI

Families of the CDS and other military personnel broke down as they paid their respects to their loved ones. CDS Rawat and Madhulika Rawat’s daughters – Kritika and Tarini; their grandchild and son-in-law, paid their respects at the General's residence. 

CDS RAWAT’S FUNERAL TO BE HELD AT BRAR SQUARE, DELHI

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CDS Bipin Rawat's mortal remains to be brought to Brar Square for funeral. Photo: PTI

CDS Bipin Rawat’s mortal remains were kept at his residence 3, Kamraj Marg for public viewing from 11 am to 2 pm today. His funeral was held at Brar Square crematorium.

'GARV SE ZYADA DUKH HAI'

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Brig LS Lidder's wife and daughter break down. Photo: PTI

The wife and daughter of Brigadier LS Lidder bid a final goodbye to him during his funeral at Brar Sqaure crematorium.

Brig LS Lidder’s daughter Aashna and wife Geetika said that they stand strong in this time of personal grief.

“He was larger than life. We must give him a good farewell. I am a soldier’s wife and it’s a big loss. Garv se zyada dukh hai... zindagi bahut lambi hai (we are more grief-stricken than proud. Life is too long and we have to live without him),” Geetika Lidder, wife of the Brigadier, told the media.

Brig Lidder’s daughter Aashna said that he was with her for 17 years and that they will go ahead with happy memories.

“My father was a hero, my best friend. Maybe it was destined and better things will come our way. He was my biggest motivator,” Aashna said during her father’s funeral.

IAF REQUESTS NO SPECULATION ON CHOPPER CRASH

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CDS Bipin Rawat pictured at an event on December 7, a day before his tragic demise. Photo: PTI

The Indian Air Force asked people not to speculate on the cause of the helicopter accident, keeping in mind the dignity of the deceased. The IAF also said that the investigation that has been ordered will work expeditiously to get the facts out.  

WORLD LEADERS SEND THEIR TRIBUTES

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Candles lit in remembrance of CDS Bipin Rawat. Photo: PTI

Military attaches from around the world, French and Israeli ambassadors and other foreign dignitaries paid their respects to CDS Bipin Rawat at his official residence.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he spoke to EAM S Jaishankar and expressed his condolences over the tragic demise of CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife and colleagues. He also added that the CDS’s demise is a loss for both the nations.

PURPORTED VIDEO OF CHOPPER DISAPPEARING SUBMITTED

Tourists who shot a purported video of the ill-fated IAF helicopter disappearing into mist said that they have submitted it to officials for further investigation. Speaking to India Today, the tourists said that when they were shooting the video, they heard a strange noise.

The tourists were also able to visit the crash site, 20 minutes after capturing the video and met the first responders. 

They handed over the video to the officials thinking it was important. The tourists also said that at the time they had no idea about who was in the helicopter.

DRONE MAPPING

At the crash site in Tamil Nadu, drone mapping was conducted earlier today.

SOLE SURVIVOR AIRLIFTED

The sole survivor of the IAF helicopter crash, Group Captain Varun Singh, was airlifted to the IAF Command Hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He was receiving treatment at the Wellington Military Hospital in Tamil Nadu after the crash.

Last updated: December 10, 2021 | 19:27
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