NEW YORK, NEW YORK (TIP): The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations organized on May 29, a function to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. It was in 2002 that the United Nations General Assembly had designated by its Resolution 57/129 of 11 December, 2002, May 29 as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. The special function was attended by Under-Secretary- General, DPKO, Ambassador Hervè Ladsous and Under- Secretary-General, DFS, Ms. Ameerah Haq along with members of the diplomatic community, representatives of the media and civil society.

Speaking on the occasion, India’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asoke Mukerji recalled India’s role in UN peacekeeping since 1953. He reiterated India’s commitment to supporting the United Nations in this important area of its activities. The Permanent Representative paid special tribute to the five Indian peacekeepers from the 6 MAHAR who lost their lives in an armed ambush on 9 April 2013 in South Sudan, while escorting a UN convoy of staff and civilians.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Under-Secretary- General, DPKO, Ambassador Hervè Ladsous and Under- Secretary-General, DFS, Ms. Ameerah Haq. Both recalled the enormous contribution of India to United Nations Peace Keeping and expressed their appreciation of the government of India and the peacekeepers to various peacekeeping missions over the years.

As part of the event, a photo exhibition was organized by the Permanent Mission of India at its premises. The photos, many of them of rare archival nature, showcased the historical origins of India’s UN peacekeeping participation and scenes from the various areas of operation where Indian peacekeepers have been deployed over the past 60 years. The contribution of Indian peacekeepers to helping civilian populations, especially women and children, and the role of the first ever Indian-all Female Formed Police Unit in the Mission in Liberia, were highlighted in the exhibition.