“Don’t ask me any cliché questions. Let’s talk about the future of war.” These were the words of General Bipin Rawat during our last conversation, which was typical of his zeal and fearless personality. over a cup of steam Tea, he promised me a long pending sit-down interview. “I want the country to know why the theater command is needed,” he said.
Eventually, integrating the existing 17 commands of the Army, Navy and Air Force into three Eastern, Western and Northern Theater Commands, was one of the major reforms initiated by General Rawat as the country’s first Chief of Defense Staff. On January 1, he would have completed two years in this position.
I met General for the first time Bipin Rawat The day he took over as the Indian Army Chief on 31 December 2016. He had a schedule full of interview slots for all the major news networks. I got up for my turn keeping in mind the busy calendar of the general. But, the general also got up and reached for a certificate ready to show me – a PhD in media-military relations, a symbol of his professional friendship with me and the fraternity at large.
On December 30, 2019, on the eve of his retirement as Chief of Army Staff, defense correspondents knew he was the government’s choice to take over as the country’s first Chief of Defense Staff, but the general himself was adamant.
“Get your running shoes ready. I am retiring and going to the hills. You come and see me Your village is close,” he told me, a native of Uttarakhand.
But the hills will have to wait. General Rawat recently moved offices in South Block, setting up the Department of Military Affairs. But no matter what the role, he always had time for candid conversation, during which he offered advice on writing rather than “just being on TV.”
General Rawat loved to engage in conversation and spoke diligently on subjects close to his heart. A casual comment on the Tirupati temple statue in his office once spilled over into a 20-minute conversation. A question on his trip to Russia was answered with a detailed description of officers drinking vodka and traffic jams. A 15-minute meeting with General Rawat is never 15 minutes.
And the controversy never dampened the man’s openness. He couldn’t care less. After all, he was first a soldier, committed to his army. An officer whose warmth, openness and friendship I will now miss.
I could not muster the courage to meet the bereaved daughters of General Rawat, who lost both their parents in the tragic helicopter crash on Wednesday. The nation mourns with him today, as do I.
The nightmare of a day wouldn’t end without more punches to the nation’s gut. Eleven other defense personnel aboard the crashed helicopter died in the accident.
At 11.35 am, I received a WhatsApp message from Brigadier Lakhbinder Singh Lidder, a second generation Army officer who had been on General Rawat’s staff for over a year. I realize now that that was just moments before I got on board the Russian-made Mi-17V5 helicopter. At the release of her 16-year-old daughter’s book last week, I promised Brigadier Lidar that I would get her book reviewed. He was smiling that day, a proud father watching his daughter confidently on stage to talk about her books and parenting.
Brigadier Lidar’s father and I were both at the signal. We often exchanged stories about that while I waited in his office to meet General Rawat. The phone never rang in his office, but the Brigadier never let his restraint, humility or attention waver. He told me that he has got approval for the post of Major General, the advertisement will be out of Delhi soon.
Days passed in describing the accident, obtaining confirmation about the deceased, gathering information about funerals and succession, but even so, it remains hazy. This work cannot be done without creating bondage on the way. The people you meet while on the job become a part of your story and you become a part of them.
Gen Rawat and Brigadier Lidar, it is an honor to know you.
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