Rajnath Singh unveils statue of 1st CDS Late Gen Bipin Rawat in Dehradun. =Govt upholds the dignity of soldiers & honours their invaluable contribution to nation building: Rajnath Singh

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

SHYAM SOOD 

RAJOURI/NEW DELHI FEB 12:–Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday unveiled a life-size statue of late General Bipin Rawat – the country’s .Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) – at TonsBridge School in Dehradun in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

While paying floral tributes Rajnath said: “Late Gen Rawat was a courageous soldier and a good human being, who will always be an inspiration to the future generations,”.

Recalling the incident when General Rawat was wounded due to a gunshot at a remote border post in J&K, Defence Minister said, “The episode prompted the decorated officer to strengthen the functioning of the Indian Army near the Line of Control (LoC) and Line of Actual Control (LAC) when he was the Army Chief and later became the CDS,”.
“General Rawat was a true symbol of the country’s military tradition, militarya soldier, irrespective of the birthplace, remains dedicated to the security of the nation,” he added.
Remembering the last moments of  General Rawat, stating that it signified the true meaning of ‘Die with your boots on’.
“The demise of General Rawat is an irreparable loss to the nation. Even in his last moments, he was on duty, serving the nation. His commitment, dedication, and patriotism could be felt until the very end,” said Rajnath Singh.
“The appointment of Gen Rawat as the first CDS is one of the most significant reforms in the military history of the country. The creation of this post reflects the Government’s commitment towards bolstering the Armed Forces,” said Rajnath Singh.
He described ‘upholding the dignity of the soldiers and honouring their contribution’ as the duty of the Government, asserting that “Under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership, we are honouring the valour and sacrifices of our soldiers.”
“While the Government is equipping the Armed Forces with state-of-the-art weapons/platforms, it has also constructed the National War Memorial in New Delhi to pay a fitting tribute to the bravehearts,” said Defence Minister.
Elaborating the idea of installing the statue inside the school premises, Rajnath Singh said: “Statues hold a significant importance in our society & culture. It is a part of our rich heritage, which also serves as an inspiration for the future. Schools not only provide education but also shape the personality of students. Every child can learn from personalities such as Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, former President APJ Abdul Kalam & General Bipin Rawat and contribute to nation building,”.