Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur have expressed deep grief over the sudden demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces in a tragic helicopter crash near Coonoor, in Tamil Nadu today. Gen. Rawat was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course. In his condolence message, the Governor said that Gen. Bipin Rawat contributed immensely for security of the nation and modernising the Indian Armed Forces. His demise was a great loss to the nation. He expressed his sympathy with the bereaved family members. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the nation has lost a decorated officer and top commander of Indian army, who has made the country proud on several occasions. He said that the country would always remember the services provided by Gen. Rawat. Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss. He also wished speedy recovery to Group Captain Varun Singh.
