Army announces 'Chair of Excellence' at USI in memory of Gen Rawat

The announcement came on the eve of the 65th birth anniversary of Gen Rawat

Indian Army on Tuesday instituted a Chair of Excellence in the memory of late Gen Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff at the United Service Institution of India on the eve of his 65th birthday.

The formal announcement was made by the Army Chief Gen MM Naravane in presence of other senior officials. A cheque of Rs 5 lakh was handed to Maj Gen BK Sharma (retd), director, USI as honorarium to the nominated Chair of Excellence.

Also read: PM Modi accuses Congress of using General Rawat's cut-outs for votes

Late Gen Rawat who served as India’s first CDS as well as the 27th Army Chief was in the middle of steering one of India’s most radical military transformations—integration of the existing commands to create a handful of theatre commands—when he was killed in an accident.

Gen Rawat, his wife and 12 other personnel of the armed forces were killed in a helicopter crash in Coonoor district in Tamil Nadu on December 8, 2021.

The Chair will be open to veterans of three Services and civilians having expertise in the field of national security.

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