BIHAR: In Gaya, Bihar, on Saturday, Pitru Shraddha and Pind Daan ceremonies were held to pray for the peace and salvation of India’s first Chief of Defense, General Bipin Rawat, and his wife, Madhulika Rawat. The solemn rituals were conducted by General Rawat’s daughters, Madhulika Rawat and Kritika Rawat.
General Rawat’s brother, retired Colonel Vijay Rawat, Madhulika Rawat’s brother Yashvardhan Singh, and his wife Sapna Singh also came to Gaya to perform Pind Daan during the pitru paksha mela.
During this occasion, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and the Governor of Bihar, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, also paid their respects and performed the last rites for their ancestors in Gaya.
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The family members arrived in Gaya in the morning of Saturday amid tight security arrangements to conduct the last rites in accordance with the proper rituals. Tarpan, a ritual offering, was performed at the banks of the Falgu River near the Vishnupad Temple to pray for the peace of General Rawat and his wife’s souls. District administration and police officials were present during the rituals. After the completion of the ceremonies, the family members departed from Gaya Airport to return to their homes.
Tragically, on December 8, 2021, the country’s first CDS, General Bipin Rawat, lost his life in a Mi-17 V5 helicopter crash. General Rawat, his wife, and 12 others were on board the helicopter, including Brigadier LS Lidder, Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh, Wing Commander PS Chauhan, Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh, Naik Gurusevak Singh, Naik Jitendra Kumar, Lance Naik Vivek Kumar, Lance Naik B. Sai Teja, Junior Warrant Officer Das, Junior Warrant Officer A. Pradeep, and Havildar Satpal. All of them tragically lost their lives in the crash.