Kudos UN’s blue beret! Indian peacekeepers received ‘Medals of Honour’ in Malakal

Malakal, Apr 16: India with her traditional understanding of peaceful co-existence, respect for the rule of law and deep understanding of challenges of Nation building, India is one of the top international contributors in UN peacekeeping missions. UN’s mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The Indian peacekeepers in UNMISS received Medals of Honor for their dedication, service, and sacrifice.

 

150 men from Indian peacekeeping forces received UN medals of honour at a colorful ceremony filled with synchronized marching, performances by the piped band and all-around good cheer.

Today, India is the largest democracy in the world. It is also one of the top international contributors in terms of personnel serving with UN peacekeeping missions. More than 200,000 military and police have served over the past 70 years and 168 Indian military personnel have lost their lives under the UN flag. Currently, 2400 military and police are serving at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

 

Indian peacekeepers are also working for the upliftment of South Sudan. These efforts are demonstrated through the numerous training of community animal health workers that Indian peacekeepers have undertaken in the region. They have also provided value addition training for farmers to help them make the most of their produce.

Under command of Colonel Amit Gupta, Indian peacekeepers have conducted highly sought-after veterinary camps and they now run a veterinary hospital in Malakal, with a second expected to be completed in Kodok – a major town along the west bank of the Nile – in a few weeks’ time.

On this occasion, Colonel Amit Gupta said, “I want to be remembered as having left positive memories for the people in South Sudan, I also want to leave them in a better place, where they are able to generate income for themselves and build their country.”

Private Cheema is another brave Indian peacekeeper working in South Sudan. He has participated in both air and riverine patrols and is also among the distinguished men who are in his Commander’s quick-response force.

He said proudly, “Those I joined the army with, will probably earn their first medal of honour in another two years. I consider myself lucky. I have my UN medal and when I return home, I will get my foreign service medal”.

Further, he added, I am very grateful to those who worked hard to get us into a peacekeeping mission.