Former and current Indian cricketers namely VVS Laxman, Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh have extended condolences over the death of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others in a chopper crash near Coonoor in the nearby hilly Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday after.
The Indian Air Force confirmed on Wednesday evening that General Rawat, who was India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and his wife Madhulika Rawat were among the thirteen persons who died in a fatal chopper crash.
The IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter got airborne from Sulur for Wellington and there were 14 persons on board in the chopper including the crew. The CDS was on his way to the Defence Staff College in Wellington. The IAF said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident.
“Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Sh. #BipinRawat and his wife in a tragic helicopter crash. The nation will always be grateful to Gen. Rawat for his service to the nation. Om Shanti Folded hands
Jai Hind,” wrote Laxman on Twitter.
Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Sh. #BipinRawat and his wife in a tragic helicopter crash. The nation will always be grateful to Gen. Rawat for his service to the nation. Om Shanti 🙏🏼
Jai Hind pic.twitter.com/b4qwfAW2Kz— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 8, 2021
“Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of CDS Bipin Rawat ji and other officials in a tragic helicopter crash. My deepest condolences to the friends & family members,” said Indian cricket team captain Kohli in his tweet.
Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of CDS Bipin Rawat ji and other officials in a tragic helicopter crash. My deepest condolences to the friends & family members. 🙏
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 8, 2021
“Extremely pained to hear about the passing away of Shri #BipinRawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 army personnel in the tragic helicopter crash. Gratitude for his wonderful service to the nation. Om Shanti,” tweeted Sehwag.
Extremely pained to hear about the passing away of Shri #BipinRawat , his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 army personnel in the tragic helicopter crash. Gratitude for his wonderful service to the nation. Om Shanti 🙏🏼🌸 pic.twitter.com/XoCK64Q9wg
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 8, 2021
“Deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat, his wife Mrs. Madhulika Rawat and 11 other personnel of our armed forces. My deepest condolences to their families and well-wishers,” Yuvraj said in a tweet.
Deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat, his wife Mrs. Madhulika Rawat and 11 other personnel of our armed forces. My deepest condolences to their families and well-wishers 🙏🏻
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) December 8, 2021
RP Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Venkatesh Pradesh and Parthiv Patel have also expressed their condolences to the bereaved families.
देश के प्रथम CDS एवं पूर्व सेना प्रमुख श्री #बिपिनरावत जी एवं उनकी धर्मपत्नी श्रीमती मधुलिका रावत समेत सभी यात्रियों का आकस्मिक देहावसान राष्ट्र के लिए गहरा आघात है। ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्माओं को शान्ति एवं स्वजनों को सम्बल प्रदान करें।#ॐशान्ति।🙏#BipinRawat #बिपिन_रावत https://t.co/PhlKg4p7Ws
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) December 8, 2021
A billion salutes are not enough! 🇮🇳#OmShanti #GeneralBipinRawat #ArmyOfficers
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) December 8, 2021
There are some men who feel like ones from our family. Our security forces feel like family and feel extremely pained to hear about the demise of Gen #BipinRawat and his wife in the tragic helicopter crash. May Parmatma give Sadgati to the bravehearts who lost their lives. pic.twitter.com/IBrfhkqKeL
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) December 8, 2021
Tragic loss. Om Shanti 🙏#BipinRawat ji pic.twitter.com/rViY2D0bKA
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 8, 2021
