Prominent personalities from Indian sports fraternity took to Twitter on Wednesday to condole the demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat. General Rawat and 12 others- including his wife Madhulika and 11 armed forces personnel, lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on Wednesday.
General Rawat’s death was confirmed by the Indian Air Force. CDS General Rawat and the others were on board an Indian Air Force Mi-17V5 helicopter, which took off from the Sulur IAF base near Coimbatore. General Rawat was on his way to Defence Staff College in Wellington to attend an event.
The helicopter crash had taken place shortly after noon.
India's Test captain Virat Kohli extended his condolences to Bipin Rawat's family. Kohli tweeted, “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.”
Sachin Tendulkar on the other hand, posted on Twitter,“Gen. Bipin Rawat’s pride & utmost commitment for India was palpable. It's a sad day for India and our defence forces. Prayeers for the departed souls of Gen. Rawat, Mrs. Rawat & all the defence forces personnel who were in this unfortunate incident. Praying for the speedy recovery of Gp Capt Varun Singh.”
Yuvraj Singh said on Twitter, “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.”
Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman and Venkatesh Prasad also took to their social media accounts to express their condolences.
Laxman wrote, “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.”
Prasad posted on Koo, “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 CDS #BipinRawat and his wife in the tragic helicopter crash. May Parmatma give Sadgati to the bravehearts who lost their lives.”
Virender Sehwag also posted on Koo app, “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.”
Athletes PT Usha and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu also expressed their condolences.
Usha wrote, “Deeply anguished by the sudden demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat, CDS, Mrs. Rawat, and the 11 others on board the chopper. My prayers for the departed souls, and deepest condolences to the families. Om Shanti.”
Tokyo Olympics silver-medallist Chanu wrote, “Extremely tragic news about the helicopter crash near Conoor. RIP #BipinRawat sir.”
