Picture this: a quiet ceremony, the air thick with respect, as a bust of India's very first Chief of Defence Staff, the late General Bipin Rawat, is unveiled at the Military Institute of Technology in Pune. Air Vice Marshal Vivek Blouria, head of MILIT, leads the tributes, surrounded by military staff from all branches of the armed forces. It's a moment to honor a man who left a powerful mark on our nation's defense.
MILIT itself has a long and proud history. Founded back in 1952, it's a place where the best and brightest officers from the Army, Air Force, Navy – even officers from friendly countries – come for top-level training. Think advanced military tech, how to fight modern wars, the whole complicated process of getting the right equipment for our forces... it all happens here. If you finish the course, you get a Master's degree from Pune University!
General Rawat, who we tragically lost in that helicopter crash in December of 2021... well, he was the kind of leader you see once in a generation. Brilliant, far-sighted, and always pushing to make our armed forces stronger. He rose through the ranks to become Chief of the Army Staff, and later, our first-ever Chief of Defense Staff. His service earned him the highest honors.
This bust at MILIT isn't just a statue. It's a way to say "thank you" to a man who transformed the way our military works. General Rawat, you inspired us, and the next generation of officers will carry on your legacy.
