WION remembers the Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, who died a tragic death, along with his wife and 11 others in a helicopter crash in South India's Coonoor.

Remembering the legend who changed the game altogether with reforms

During an interview in the past when WION's editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary asked General Bipin Rawat how he would want to be remembered, The General replied by saying that he would like to fade away as one more Army officer who is proud of his Army uniform.

Want to fade away as an officer proud of his uniform: General Bipin Rawat to WION Editor-in-Chief

Air Commodore (Retd.) Dr. AS Bahal: CDS General Bipin Rawat played an instrumental role in India's military reforms. The theaterisation of three armed forces were underway in his leadership.

Ex-IAF officer Dr AS Bahal: India's military reforms were underway in CDS General Rawat's leadership

Major General (Retd.) Ashok K Mehta heaped praise for the departed Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and recalled his time knowing him and his father in the Indian Army.

Major General (Retd.) Ashok K Mehta: Defence reforms under CDS General Bipin Rawat were landmark

Former Defence Secretary of India Shekhar Dutt expressed condolences to the family of CDS General Bipin Rawat and expressed shock over his death in the unfortunate helicopter crash in South India's Coonoor.

Untimely demise of a Gallant soldier: Ex-Defence Secretary of India Shekhar Dutt over CDS' demise

Major General (Retd.) Sheru Thapliyal expressed deep sorrow over the sudden demise of India's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat. He also heaped lots of praise for the departed soul while recalling his time working with him as his senior.

I am shattered: Major General (Retd.) Sheru Thapliyal on the demise of the CDS General Bipin Rawat

Air Vice-Marshal (Retd.) Manmohan Bahadur: The MI-17V5 is a top-notch chopper, also a go-to machine used by India's top dignitaries. It is very difficult to determine what went wrong to cause such a tragic crash.

Ex-Air Vice Marshal M. Bahadur: Difficult to speculate the reason behind crash involving India's CDS

Indian Air Force confirms the tragic death of India's 1st Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat. IAF also confirmed the demise of his wife Mrs Madhulika Rawat, and 11 others who were on board the MI-17V5 chopper.

India's 1st Chief of Defence Staff Gen Rawat dies in a tragic chopper crash in South India's Coonoor

Defence Expert Qamar Agha: Though it is very difficult to reach the crash site, Army officials and the Air Force chief is rushing there to take an assessment of the situation.

Defence Expert Qamar Agha speaks on helicopter crash involving India's CDS General Bipin Rawat

Major General (Retd.) DN Khurana: It is a very unfortunate incident. Mi-17 is one of the safest helicopters, and the chopper involved was one of the latest versions available with the IAF.

Former Major General DN Khurana talk about helicopter crash in South India involving CDS Gen Rawat

Investigative journalist and former RAF pilot Michael Kay: Difficult to guess what was the reason behind such a tragic crash involving India's top Military General. Preliminary reports should give more details.

Watch former RAF pilot Michael Kay giving his insight about helicopter crash involving CDS Gen Rawat