The nation is mourning the colossal loss of CDS (Chief of Defence Staff) General Bipin Rawat and other officials who died Wednesday in an unfortunate chopper crash. If Odias could recall, General Rawat had visited Odisha on several occasions, the last one being more than two years ago, but the memories of his visit are still afresh in the minds of those who got a chance to meet and interact with him.
During his tenure as the Chief of Army Staff, General Rawat had come to Odisha in 2019 on the occasion of President’s Colours Award Ceremony of Army Air Defence Centre in Gopalpur. Be it local police officials or journalists, Rawat established a cordial relationship with everyone. Recollecting memories of Bipin Rawat’s last visit, Berhampur SP narrated how his meeting with the General is still fresh in his minds.
"After landing at Rangeilunda Airstrip, when General Rawat was about to get into his car he spotted me. He came near me, wished me, shook hands and asked me my name and native place. When he learnt that I belonged to Odisha he asked me my native district. When I told him that I was from Kalahandi he was very happy. While leaving, he met with every official irrespective of their ranks. He shook hands and thanked everyone who was deployed on duty. The whole nation is grieving his unfortunate demise," said Pinak Mishra, the Superintendent of Police, Berhampur.
Not many are aware that CDS Rawat was an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath. General Rawat along with his wife Madhulika had visited Puri Jagannath Temple in 2017. Servitor Ramchandra Purana Panda who escorted the Army official said that Rawat never asked anything for himself but rather prayed for the wellbeing of his jawans. He also said that General Rawat looked very appeased while visiting several other temples on the premises of Srimandir.
Expressing grief, Panda informed that a few days back during his interaction with General Rawat, he had invited him to Srimandir. General Rawat had also promised Panda that he would visit Puri whenever he gets time. Unfortunately, destiny had other plans for him.
"10-12 days ago during a telephonic conversation with Gen Rawat, I invited him to Puri for darshan of Lord Jagannath. He also assured me that he will visit Puri and seek blessings of Lord Jagannath whenever he will have time. But destiny had other plans. We are unlucky that we did not get another chance to meet him. We pray that a courageous soldier like him is reborn to serve the country again," prayed the servitor.
Video Editor/Producer: Sanchita Mondal
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