External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday commemorated the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, commending “the brave men and women” serving in conflict zones worldwide.
“On the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, I salute the valor of the brave men and women who dedicate themselves to maintaining peace and security in regions affected by conflict,” Jaishankar said in a post on Twitter. “We honor especially the memory of those who have made the supreme sacrifice in carrying out the cause of @UNPeacekeeping.”
This year’s theme, “Fit for the future, building better together,” acknowledges the significant contributions of civilian, military, and law enforcement peacekeepers over the past 70 years.
On Tuesday, India’s Major Radhika Sen was announced as the 2023 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year. Sen’s efforts in amplifying local voices in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were recognized. As Commander of an Engagement Platoon with the MONUSCO mission from 2023-2024, she played a crucial role in establishing networks for Congolese communities to voice security and humanitarian concerns.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lauded Major Sen’s achievements, calling her “a true credit to the United Nations.” She is the second Indian peacekeeper to receive this honor after Major Suman Gawani in 2019.
With 124 women currently deployed, India stands as the 11th largest contributor of female military peacekeepers.
(Inputs from ANI)