Peacekeeper Major Radhika gets UN award

In her address after announcing the honouring of Indian soldiers on International United Nations Peacekeepers Day, Kamboj said that India's UN peacekeepers have consistently shown unwavering courage in protecting vulnerable communities around the world. She expressed pride in honouring Indian peacekeeper Major Radhika Sen, who has received the UN Gender Military Advocate Award for her exemplary service and leadership in Congo during her deployment in the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, from March 2023 to April 2024. Sen will be awarded the prestigious award by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a ceremony on Thursday.

Apart from this, Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh, who worked with the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, will be posthumously awarded the 'Dag Hammarskjold' medal at a ceremony to be held on Thursday.

Sen is the second Indian officer to receive this prestigious award after Major Suman Gawani. Major Gawani served in the UN Mission in South Sudan and was awarded this award in 2019. Born in Himachal Pradesh in 1993, Major Sen joined the Indian Army 8 years ago. She has done her post-graduation from IIT Bombay.

Kamboj said in an emotional video message on the social media platform 'X', today we have come together to honor India's extraordinary contribution to global peace and security on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Our brave peacekeepers have shown unwavering courage, steadfast dedication and unwavering commitment to protect vulnerable communities around the world.

Remembering the soldiers who sacrificed their lives, Kamboj said that countless Indian peacekeepers have made the supreme sacrifice under the blue flag by sacrificing their lives in pursuit of peace. This year we are particularly honored to receive the United Nations Gender Military Advocate Award. This is a powerful testimony to India's firm dedication to gender equality and the invaluable role of women in peacekeeping.

Along with this, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar wrote in a post on 'X' On the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, salute the bravery of those brave men and women who dedicate themselves to maintaining peace and security in areas affected by conflict. I especially honor the memory of those who have made the supreme sacrifice in fulfilling the purpose of United Nations peacekeeping.

(Report. Shashwat Tiwari)