The appointment of lt General Bipin Rawat as new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has gladdened the hearts of general public and the armed forces veterans of Uttarakhand. In a surprise move on Saturday, the Union Government appointed lt Gen Rawat as new army chief superseding lt Gen Praveen Bakshi and lt Gen P M Hariz.
In a message, Garhwal MP and chairman of parliamentary committee on Defence, Major General Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri (Rtd) said that the prestige of the State has got a raise by the appointment of General Rawat as army chief and Anil Dhasmana as Chief of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). He said that he had a long association with lt General laxman Singh Rawat who is father of new chief.
lt General Gambhir Singh Negi (Rtd), said that it is a matter of pride for the State that lt General Rawat would be the new chief of army. He said that National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, new army chief Rawat and RAW chief Dhasmana all belong to Uttarakhand and it shows that the state has no dearth of talent. lt Gen Negi said that these personalities would act as role models and guides for the youth of the state. He said that the State had given an army chief and navy chief in past.
Recalling the days when he was instructor of Indian Military Academy (IMA) and lt Gen Rawat a cadet of IMA, Brigadier RS Rawat said that lt Gen Rawat was very hard working and disciplined cadet. Incidentally Rawat received the prestigious sword of honour in that course.
Expressing happiness on the selection, Brigadier V Nautiyal said that the selection is based on merit. He reminded that army is a secular organisation where the promotions are based on merit only. Apart from ex servicemen, these appointments have enthused people from all walks of life. “ The NSA Ajit Doval, next army chief lt Gen Rawat, next RAW chief Anil Dhasmana, Coast guard Chief Rajendra Singh, Director General Military Operations (DGMO) lt Gen A K Bhatt are from Uttarakhand. All of them have raised the head of every Uttarakhandi in pride,’’ said Manish Rawat a lawyer and resident of Clement town.
lt Gen Bipin Rawat belongs to village Saina near Dadamandi, block Dwarikhal of Pauri Garhwal district. Incidentally his father laxman Singh Rawat retired as lt General and served as Vice Chief of Army. New RAW chief Anil Dhasmana belongs to Toli village of Pauri Garhwal.