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Madhulika Rawat was the wife of the first Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces Bipin Rawat. She served as the President at Defence Wives Welfare Association (DWWA). Madhulika was killed in a chopper crash on 8 December 2021 along with her husband, Bipin Rawat.
Wiki/Biography
Madhulika Raje Singh Rawat was born on Thursday, 7 February 1963 (age 58 years; at the time of death) in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh. She did her schooling at Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Moti Mahal Road, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and pursued her graduation in psychology from Delhi University, New Delhi.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Hair Colour: Brown
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Her father, Mrighendra Singh, was the Riyasatdar of Sohagpur Riyasat, Shadol, Madhya Pradesh. He served as a Congress MLA from Shadol in 1967 and 1972. She is the second child of her parents and has one elder sibling and one younger sibling. One of her siblings is Yashwardhan Singh Rawat.
Madhulika Rawat’s brother Yashwardhan Singh Rawat
As of 2021, her family lives in their ancestral residence ‘Rajabagh’ in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.
An old picture of Madhulika Rawat with her family
Husband & Children
She was married to the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India Bipin Rawat.
Bipin Rawat with his wife Madhulika Rawat
Bipin Rawat with his wife, Madhulika, in their youth
Their marriage took place on 14 April 1986.
Bipin Rawat and Madhulika’s wedding card
The couple had two daughters, Kritika Rawat and Tarini Rawat.
Madhulika Rawat with her daughters
Career
She worked for the welfare of the dependents of the Army personnel. She was also associated with various welfare programs that were working for the help of widows of martyred soldiers. She worked for providing employment for the wives of army men by encouraging them to pursue various courses in tailoring, knitting bag, and making bakery products. Earlier, she served as the president of the Army Women Welfare Association (AWWA). In 2021, she was appointed as the President of the Defence Wives Welfare Association (DWWA).
Death
On 8 December 2021, while she was travelling in the Mi-17 V5 from Delhi to Sulur, the chopper crashed near Wellington Army Centre, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. She was accompanied by Bipin Rawat, Brigadier L.S. Lidder (defence assistant to the CDS), Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh (special officer to the CDS), PSOs Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitendra Kumar, Lieutenant Naik Vivek Kumar, Lieutenant Naik B Sai Teja, and Havildar Satpal in the helicopter. Later, the Indian Air Force, through a tweet, announced the tragic death of Madhulika, her husband Bipin Rawat, and 11 more, who were killed in the chopper crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. Group Captain Varun Singh was the only person to survive the accident.
With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021
On Madhulika and Bipin Rawat’s demise, the Chhattisgarh minister TS Singh Deo said,
Madhulika Rawat was a close family associate and used to visit us in Bhopal often. Madhulika ji, wife of Late Gen Bipin Rawat was a close family associate. She was the daughter of Late Shri Mrigendra Singh ji of Suhagpur (MP) and used to visit us often in Bhopal. My heart goes out to their families. May they find strength to deal with this unimaginable loss.”
Cremation
On 10 December 2021, her husband, Bipin Rawat, was cremated at the Brar Square crematorium at Delhi cantonment with full military honours. The body of Madhulika was also laid on the same pyre.
Tri-services officers carry the mortal remains of late Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat during his funeral procession from his residence to Brar Square
Facts/Trivia
- Madhulika Rawat was often invited as a chief guest at various seminars and events.
Madhulika Rawat during an event