Bipin Rawat

General
Bipin Rawat
UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM
Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat
Born Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, India
Allegiance  India
Service/branch  Indian Army
Years of service 16 December 1978 – present
Rank General
Service number IC-35471M
Unit 5/11 Gorkha Rifles
Commands held Southern Army
III Corps
19 Infantry Division (Uri)
MONUSCO Brigade
5 Sector Rashtriya Rifles (Sopore)
5/11 Gorkha Rifles
Awards Uttam Yudh Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Yudh Seva Medal
Sena Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal
Relations Lt Gen. Laxman Singh Rawat (Retd) (Father)

General Bipin Rawat, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, is the 27th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. He assumed office on 31 December 2016 after retirement of General Dalbir Singh.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

Bipin Rawat was born in Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, India.[4] His family had been serving in the Indian Army for multiple generations, and his father was Lieutenant General Laxman Singh Rawat.[5][6][7] Rawat attended Cambrian Hall School in Dehradun, St Edward’s School in Shimla, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where he was awarded the 'Sword of Honour'. He is also a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the Higher Command Course at Fort Leavenworth, USA.[8][9][10] He has a MPhil in Defence Studies from Madras University, a Diploma in Management and another in Computer Studies. In 2011, he was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy by Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut for his research on military-media strategic studies.[11][3]

Career

Rawat was commissioned into the 5th battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifles on 16 December 1978, the same unit as his father.[12][13] He has lots of experience in high altitude warfare and spent ten years conducting counter insurgency operations.[10] He commanded a company in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, an infantry battalion in the Eastern sector along the Line of Actual Control at Kibithu, 5 Sector of Rashtriya Rifles (Sopore) as brigade commander, 19 Infantry Division (Uri), III Corps (Dimapur) and was General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-C) Southern Command (Pune). He also held staff assignments which included an instructional tenure at the Indian Military Academy (Dehradun), General Staff Officer Grade 2 at the Military Operations Directorate, logistics staff officer of a Re-organised Army Plains Infantry Division (RAPID) in central India, Colonel Military Secretary and Deputy Military Secretary in the Military Secretary’s Branch and Senior Instructor in the Junior Command Wing. He also commanded MONUSCO (a multinational brigade in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) where he was twice awarded the Force Commander’s Commendation. During his career span of 37 years, he has been awarded for gallantry and distinguished service with the UYSM in 2013, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, COAS Commendation on two occasions and the Army Commander’s Commendation.[8][14][15][16][17][18][19]

Rawat assumed the post of GOC-C Southern Command on 1 January 2016 and assumed the post of Vice Chief of Army Staff on 1 September 2016. On 17 December 2016, the Government of India designated him as the 27th Chief of the Army Staff, superseding two more senior Lieutenant Generals, Praveen Bakshi and P. M. Hariz.[20] He is the fourth officer from the Gorkha Brigade to become the Chief of the Army Staff.

1987 Sino-Indian skirmish

During the 1987 face off in the Sumdorong Chu valley, Rawat's battalion was deployed against the Chinese People's Liberation Army.[21]

UN Mission in Congo

While commanding MONUSCO (a Multinational Brigade in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Rawat had a truly outstanding tour. Within two weeks of deployment in the DRC, the Brigade faced a major offensive in the east which threatened not only the regional capital of North Kivu, Goma, but stability across the country as a whole. The situation demanded a rapid response and North Kivu Brigade was reinforced, where it was responsible for over 7,000 men and women, representing nearly half of the total MONUSCO force. Whilst simultaneously engaged in offensive kinetic operations against the CNDP and other armed groups, Rawat (then Brigadier) carried out tactical support to the Congolese Army (FARDC), sensitization programmes with the local population and detailed coordination to ensure that all were informed about the situation and worked together in prosecuting operations whilst trying to protect the vulnerable population. This hectic period of operational tempo lasted a full four months and during this time Rawat, his headquarters and his international Brigade, were tested to the full, across the operational spectrum. His personal leadership, courage and experience were pivotal to the success that the Brigade achieved. Goma never fell, the East stabilized and the main armed group was motivated to the negotiating table and has since been integrated into the FARDC. He was also tasked to present the Revised Charter of Peace Enforcement to the Special Representatives of the Secretary General and Force Commanders of all the UN missions in a special conference at Wilton Park, London on 16 May 2009.[8][9][22]

2015 Myanmar strikes

In June 2015, eighteen Indian soldiers were killed in an ambush by militants belonging to the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW) in Manipur. The Indian Army responded with cross-border strikes in which units of the 21st battalion of the Parachute Regiment struck an NSCN-K base in Myanmar. 21 Para was under the operational control of the Dimapur-based III Corps, which was then commanded by Rawat.[10][23]

Bilateral visits as COAS

Country Date Purpose References
2017
   Nepal 28 - 31 March
  • Bilateral discussions with President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister.
  • Visited a high-altitude military warfare training centre at Pokhara and Muktinath.
 [24][25]
 Bangladesh 31 March - 2 April
  • Bilateral discussions with President, Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff.
  • Visited headquarters of an infantry division and armoured corps at Bogra.
 [25][26]
 Bhutan 27 - 30 April
  • Audience with King of Bhutan.
  • Goodwill visit.
 [27]
 Myanmar 28 - 31 May
  • Bilateral discussions with State Counseller, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and Commander-in-Chief of Army.
  • Visited National Defence College, Nay Pyi Taw and Defence Services Academy, Pwin Oo Lwin.
 [28]
 Kazakhstan 1 - 3 August
  • Bilateral discussions with Defence Minister, Chairman of the National Security Committee, Vice Minister of Defence and Commander-in-Chief of Land Forces of Kazakhstan.
  • Visited elite Air Assault Brigade and National Defence University in Astana
 [29]
 Turkmenistan 4 - 5 August
  • Bilateral discussions with Minister of Defence & Secretary, National Security Council, First Deputy Minister & Chief of General Staff, Commanders of Land, Naval, Air & Air Defence Forces
  • Visited the Military Institute & Military Academy
 [29]
2018
   Nepal 12 - 14 February
  • Bilateral meetings with President and Prime Minister
  • Chief guest at Army day of the Nepalese Army
 [30][31][32]
 Sri Lanka 14 - 17 May [33][34]
 Russia 1 - 6 October
  • Bilateral meetings with senior military officers
  • Visited the Mikhailovskaya Artillery Academy, Western Military District HQ (St Petersburg) and HQ and General Staff Academy at Moscow
 [35]

Honours and decorations

Uttam Yudh Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Yudh Seva Medal Sena Medal Vishisht Seva Medal
Wound Medal
Samanya Seva Medal
Special Service Medal
Operation Parakram Medal
Sainya Seva Medal
High Altitude Service Medal
Videsh Seva Medal
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal
30 Years Long Service Medal
20 Years Long Service Medal
9 Years Long Service Medal
MONUSCO

References

  1. ↑ Gautam Sharma (1988). The path of glory: exploits of the 11 Gorkha Rifles. Allied Publishers.
  2. ↑ "Press Information Bureau". Archived from the original on 2016-12-22. Retrieved 2016-12-21.
  3. 1 2 "GENERAL BIPIN RAWAT takes over as the 27th COAS of the INDIAN ARMY". pib.nic.in. Archived from the original on 2017-01-01. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  4. ↑ "Top positions in country's security establishments helmed by men from Uttarakhand - Times of India". Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  5. ↑ "Gen Bipin Rawat known for operational skills and strategic expertise". Archived from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "Top positions in country's security establishments helmed by men from Uttarakhand - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  7. ↑ "Bipin Rawat to have full three years tenure". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2016-12-21. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
  8. 1 2 3 "Lt Gen Bipin Rawat takes over as new Army Commander". The Indian Express. 2016-01-02. Archived from the original on 2016-12-25. Retrieved 2016-12-18.
  9. 1 2 Goma, By David Blair in. "UN commander says hands are tied in Congo". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2016-12-19. Retrieved 2016-12-18.
  10. 1 2 3 "Lt General Bipin Rawat: Master of surgical strikes - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 2016-12-19. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  11. ↑ "Chief-designate for peace on border: 'Some disputes not for Army to settle'". The Indian Express. 2016-12-19. Archived from the original on 2016-12-18. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  12. ↑ "Lt Gen Bipin Rawat takes over as new Army Commander". 2 January 2016. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  13. ↑ Peri, Dinakar. "In surprise move, Lt. Gen. Bipin Rawat appointed next Army Chief". Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  14. ↑ "Superseding two senior Lt Gens, Bipin Rawat is new Army Chief; Dhanoa to head Air Force". The Indian Express. 2016-12-18. Archived from the original on 2016-12-18. Retrieved 2016-12-18.
  15. ↑ "Lt Gen Bipin Rawat appointed new Army chief, Air Marshal BS Dhanoa as new Air Force chief". Archived from the original on 2016-12-17. Retrieved 2016-12-18.
  16. ↑ "Eight things you need to know about new army chief Bipin Rawat". Hindustantimes. 2016-12-17. Archived from the original on 2016-12-17. Retrieved 2016-12-18.
  17. ↑ "New Army Chief Has What the Govt Wants: Nuts-and-Bolts Experience". The Quint. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  18. ↑ "Press Information Bureau". Archived from the original on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
  19. ↑ "Lt Gen Mathews takes over as GoC of India's only desert corps". The Indian Express. 2014-09-01. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  20. ↑ Jatinder, Kaur. "India Army Gets China Border Experienced General" (online). ABC Live. ABC Live. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  21. ↑ "Why General Rawat made the cut which General Bakshi failed to". Archived from the original on 2016-12-17. Retrieved 2016-12-18.
  22. ↑ "How Lt Gen Rawat changed the face of UN peacekeeping in conflict-hit Congo". hindustantimes.com. 2016-12-18. Archived from the original on 2016-12-18. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  23. ↑ Datta, Saikat. "Rawat's appointment as Army chief is in line with Modi's aggressive foreign policy". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 2016-12-19. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  24. ↑ "Indian Army Chief Gen Rawat to visit Nepal". hindustantimes.com/. 2017-03-19. Archived from the original on 2017-03-19. Retrieved 2017-03-19.
  25. 1 2 "Press Information Bureau". Archived from the original on 2017-03-29. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  26. ↑ "Indian army chief arrives in Dhaka | Dhaka Tribune". Dhaka Tribune. 2017-03-31. Archived from the original on 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  27. ↑ "Press Information Bureau". Archived from the original on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2017-04-28.
  28. ↑ "Press Information Bureau". Archived from the original on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
  29. 1 2 "Press Information Bureau". Archived from the original on 2017-08-01. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  30. ↑ "Indian Army chief on three-day visit to Nepal from tomorrow". The Economic Times. 2018-02-11. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  31. ↑ "Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat in Nepal for Nepali Army Day". aninews.in. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  32. ↑ "Indian Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat in Nepal, to meet Prez, PM". hindustantimes.com/. 2018-02-13. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  33. ↑ "Chief of Staff of the Indian Army General Rawat to visit Sri Lanka | The Sunday Leader". thesundayleader.lk. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
  34. ↑ "Visit of Coas to Sri Lanka". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 2018-05-13.
  35. ↑ "Visit of COAS to Russia". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
Military offices
Preceded by
Dalbir Singh		 Chief of Army Staff
31 December 2016–Current		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Man Mohan Singh Rai		 Vice Chief of Army Staff
1 September 2016 - 31 December 2016		 Succeeded by
Sarath Chand
Preceded by
 General Officer Commanding Southern Command
2015 - 31 July 2016		 Succeeded by
P M Hariz
Preceded by
S L Narasimhan		 General Officer Commanding III Corps
1 September 2014 - 23 November 2015		 Succeeded by
Abhay Krishna
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