Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly paid tribute to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 11 others killed in the Mi-17V5 helicopter crash near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday afternoon. The Assembly then adjourned till 4 p.m. after observing a minute of silence in honour of the departed souls.

"Gen Rawat had a highly remarkable career of over four decades of selfless service highlighted by great gallantry," said Chief Minister and leader of the House Naveen Patnaik, who moved an obituary reference in the Assembly. He received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, the Vishisht Seva Medal, and numerous other honours. "His exceptional service to our nation will always be remembered," Patnaik said of General Rawat and the other 11 armed personnel, calling their deaths an "irreparable" loss to the country. He asked Speaker SN Patro to allow the House to express heartfelt condolences to the deceased families.

Mohan Charan Majhi, the BJP top whip, Narasingha Mishra, the Congress legislature party leader, and CPI (M) member Laxman Munda all joined the leader of the House in sorrow.

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