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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Two Indian peacekeepers honoured posthumously for sacrifice in line of duty on International Peacekeepers Day
Two Indian peacekeepers, who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag last year, were honoured posthumously by the United Nations on International Day of UN Peacekeepers. Brigadier General Amitabh Jha, who served with the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), and Havildar Sanjay Singh, who was deployed with the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), were honoured with the Dag Hammarskjold medal at a solemn ceremony here on Thursday on the occasion of International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish received the Dag Hammarskjold Medal on behalf of the families of fallen Indian Peacekeepers from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the solemn ceremony in the UN headquarters. 'The departed peacekeepers remind us of the sacrifices made for the greater and collective good of humanity. Blue Helmets continue to be the face of the United Nations in crises all over the world, bringing peace and reassurance to those most critically affected. UN Peacekeeping is true multilateralism in action,' the Permanent Mission of India to the UN said in a post on X. India also 'remembered late Brigadier Amitabh Jha (UNDOF), Havildar Sanjay Singh (MONUSCO) & Col (Retd.) Waibhav Anil Kale whom we lost last year.' India is the 4th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping. It currently deploys more than 5,300 military and police personnel to the UN peace operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara. Guterres laid a wreath to honour the more than 4,400 UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948. He then presided over the solemn ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjöld Medals were awarded posthumously to 57 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers, who lost their lives serving under the UN flag last year. The Secretary-General also presented awards to the 2024 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme from Ghana and the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year award to Superintendent Zainab Gbla of Sierra Leone. Both of them serve with the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA). Last year, Major Radhika Sen, who served with the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), received the prestigious '2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award' from Guterres. The theme for this year's International Day of UN Peacekeepers is the 'Future of Peacekeeping', which emphasises that the 'Pact for the Future' – adopted by world leaders in September last year – includes a commitment to adapt peacekeeping to the changing world, the release added. In his message for the Day, Guterres said that 'today, peacekeepers face increasingly complex situations in an increasingly complex world… Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations — and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today's realities and tomorrow's challenges.' Honouring the service of the peacekeepers, Guterres said, 'We draw inspiration from their resilience, dedication and courage. And we remember all the brave women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace. We will never forget them – and we will carry their work forward.' Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said in his message that peacekeeping personnel are 'our most important capability. The sacrifices made by our peacekeepers call for more than remembrance; they demand action.' 'Throughout its history, peacekeeping has always adapted to ever-changing contexts to achieve results. The future of peacekeeping hinges on our collective commitment to continue to adapt and invest—so we can continue delivering hope and protection where it's needed most,' he added. The International Day of UN Peacekeepers was established by the UN General Assembly in 2002 to pay tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. In 1948, the decision was made to deploy military observers to the Middle East to supervise the implementation of Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements, in what became the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation. Since then, more than two million peacekeepers have served in 71 operations globally. Today, about 68,000 women and men serve as military, police and civilian personnel in 11 conflict zones across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and 119 countries currently contribute uniformed personnel.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Two Indian peacekeepers to be honoured posthumously with Dag Hammarskjold medal
New York [US], May 29 (ANI): The United Nations will posthumously present the prestigious Dag Hammarskjold Medal to two Indian peacekeepers, Brigadier Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh, in recognition of their supreme sacrifice in the service of global peace, according to a statement. As per the statement, Brigadier Amitabh Jha was attached to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), overseeing the delicate ceasefire arrangements in the Golan Heights. At the same time, Havildar Sanjay Singh was deployed with the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), where he worked to stabilise conflict-affected regions. Notably, the medals will be presented posthumously during a solemn ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on May 29, which marks the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers -- an occasion dedicated to honouring the more than 4,300 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948 while serving under the UN flag. As per the statement, the Dag Hammarskjold Medal, established by UN Security Council Resolution 1121 in 1997, is named after the second UN Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjold, who died in a 1961 plane crash while on a peace mission. The medal is awarded annually to military, police, and civilian personnel who make the ultimate sacrifice while serving in UN peacekeeping operations. The statement observed that India, as one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, has provided more than 200,000 personnel across 49 missions over the decades, and many Indian peacekeepers have been honored with this medal in past years. As per a previous statement by the MEA, India has been a key contributor to global peace and security, with over 2,90,000 peacekeepers serving in more than 50 UN missions. Currently, over 5,000 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in 9 active missions, working in challenging conditions to promote international peace. (ANI)
India Today
4 days ago
- General
- India Today
2 Indian UN peacekeepers to be honoured posthumously with Dag Hammarskjold Medal
Two Indian peacekeepers will be posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjold Medal. Brigadier Amitabh Jha served with UNDOF in Golan Heights Havildar Sanjay Singh deployed with MONUSCO in Congo International Day of UN Peacekeepers observed on May 29 Two Indian peacekeepers will be posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjold Medal in recognition of their supreme sacrifice in the service of global peace. Brigadier Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh of the Indian peacekeeping forces will be conferred the prestigious award on Thursday, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on the occasion of International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. While Brigadier Amitabh Jha was attached to the United National Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and was overseeing the delicate ceasefire arrangements in the Golan Heights, Havildar Sanjay Singh was deployed with the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), where he was working to stabilise the conflict-affected regions. The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed on May 29 and is dedicated in the honour of more than 4,300 peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag since 1948. The Dag Hammarskjold Medal, established by UN Security Council Resolution 1121 in 1997, is named after the second UN Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjld, who died in a 1961 plane crash while on a peace mission. The medal is awarded annually to military, police and civilian personnel who make the ultimate sacrifice while serving in UN peacekeeping operations. India is one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping forces, with over 2,00,000 personnel being deployed across 49 missions over the decades. Many Indian peacekeepers have been awarded this medal over the past years. Two Indian peacekeepers will be posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjold Medal in recognition of their supreme sacrifice in the service of global peace. Brigadier Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh of the Indian peacekeeping forces will be conferred the prestigious award on Thursday, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on the occasion of International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. While Brigadier Amitabh Jha was attached to the United National Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and was overseeing the delicate ceasefire arrangements in the Golan Heights, Havildar Sanjay Singh was deployed with the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), where he was working to stabilise the conflict-affected regions. The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed on May 29 and is dedicated in the honour of more than 4,300 peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag since 1948. The Dag Hammarskjold Medal, established by UN Security Council Resolution 1121 in 1997, is named after the second UN Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjld, who died in a 1961 plane crash while on a peace mission. The medal is awarded annually to military, police and civilian personnel who make the ultimate sacrifice while serving in UN peacekeeping operations. India is one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping forces, with over 2,00,000 personnel being deployed across 49 missions over the decades. Many Indian peacekeepers have been awarded this medal over the past years. Join our WhatsApp Channel
India Gazette
4 days ago
- General
- India Gazette
Indian Army pays tribute on 77th United Nations Peacekeepers Day
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): The Indian Army paid a heartfelt tribute on the 77th United Nations Peacekeepers Day, with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony held at the National War Memorial on Thursday, honouring the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives in UN peacekeeping missions worldwide. Lieutenant General Rakesh Kapoor, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information Systems and Coordination), led the ceremony, laying a wreath to commemorate the 179 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty while serving in 49 UN peacekeeping missions. Senior military officers and personnel from UN contingents attended the event, reflecting India's steadfast commitment to global peace and security as one of the largest troop-contributing nations, with over 200,000 Indian soldiers having participated in these 49 missions. The ceremony underscored the courage, dedication, and professionalism of Indian peacekeepers, who have played a pivotal role in upholding the United Nations' ideals in conflict zones across the globe. UN Peacekeepers Day, observed annually on May 29, marks the day when the first UN Peacekeeping Mission, 'UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO)', began operations in Palestine in 1948. The day serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by peacekeepers and India's enduring legacy in fostering international peace and stability. The UN was founded in 1945 with the primary goal of maintaining international peace and security. Since its inception, UN peacekeeping has become a valuable tool to help countries navigate the challenging path from conflict to peace. India has been a key contributor to global peace and security, with over 290,000 peacekeepers serving in more than 50 UN missions. Currently, over 5,000 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in nine active missions, working in challenging conditions to promote international peace. The UN Peacekeepers, known as Blue Helmets, get their name from the light blue of the United Nations flag. In 1947, the UN decided on this colour because blue symbolises peace, while red is often linked to war. This light blue shade has since become a symbol of the UN. In 2023, India received the UN's highest peacekeeping honour, the Dag Hammarskjold Medal, posthumously awarded to Indian peacekeepers Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi and civilian UN worker Shaber Taher Ali for their sacrifice in the Democratic Republic of Congo. (ANI)
