As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday inaugurated an exhibition to mark 50 years of 1971 war, a message by Chief of Defence Staff(CDS)General Bipin Rawat was played out at the event. The short video clip lauding the role of armed forces was recorded on December 7 a day before he died in the helicopter crash.
"Apne Senao par hei hame garv, aao milkar manaye Vijay Parv (We are proud of our armies, let's celebrate victory together)" was the last public message by General Rawat. The Indian Army on Sunday released a 1.09-minute video clip in which he greeted the armed forces personnel on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the 1971 war and paid tributes to the fallen heroes.
Rajnath said General Rawat was excited about the celebrations and used to discuss with him various aspects of the function. The minister said he missed the General.
General Rawat, his wife Madhulika and his Defence Adviser Brigadier LS Lidder were among the 13 people killed in the crash. In the video clip, Gen Rawat paid glowing tributes to the Indian armed forces personnel killed in the 1971 war with Pakistan and appealed to the citizens to join the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the victory.
"I am extending heartfelt greetings to all the brave soldiers of Indian armed forces on the occasion of Swarnim Vijay Parv. We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the victory in the 1971 war as the Vijay Parv," General Rawat said.
"I am paying my tributes to our brave soldiers on this occasion, remembering their sacrifices. Several events are being organised at the India Gate between December 12 and 14. It is a matter of great pride that Vijay Parv is being organised at the Amar Jawan Jyoti complex which was established in memory of our brave soldiers," he said.
"We invite all countrymen to participate in the Vijay Parv," he said adding "Apne Senao par hei hame garv, aao milkar manaye Vijay Parv."
Rajnath said the government had planned to conduct this Swarnim Vijay Parv in more glorious manner. "However, due to untimely death of the country's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other armed forces personnel, it was decided to conduct this event with simplicity," he said.
Paying tributes to the CDS, Rajnath said India has lost a courageous soldier, a capable advisor and a lively human being.
"He was extremely excited regarding this Swarnim Vijay Parv's celebration. He discussed various issues related to the organisation of this event with me personally. Therefore, I miss him a lot today," he said.