United Nations:
More than 1,100 Indian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) received United Nations medals in tribute to their exceptional services in the conflict-torn East African country.
The UNMISS “peacekeepers don’t ‘just’ protect civilians. Some 1,160 troops from #India in #South Sudan also repair roads, build the capacity of local communities and provide medical treatment to people and animals. For that they earn @UN- medals,” UNMISS said in a tweet on Thursday.
The 1,160 Indian peacekeepers currently serving in Upper Nile State have been honored with UN Medals “for their outstanding and multifaceted work”, including protecting civilians, carrying out technical assignments and providing health services to humans and animals, according to a news item on the UNMISS website.
#UNMISS peacekeepers do not “just” protect civilians. Some 1160 troops from #India in #Southern Sudan also repair roads, build the capacity of local communities and provide medical treatment to humans and animals. That’s why they deserve @UN medals: https://t.co/83bYHerUa6#A4Ppic.twitter.com/lgWeBpyIYv
— UNMISS (@unmissmedia) Apr 28, 2022
According to the news report, Indian engineering forces have repaired major roads in the state, including the 75-kilometer route from Malakal to Abwong via Baliet.
It added that the Indian contingent is also “known and loved” for its frequent mobile veterinary clinics in various parts of the Upper Nile state that provide veterinary services, which are otherwise rarely available to livestock farmers, to cows, goats, donkeys, sheep and other animals in the country.
Recently, the vets in Renk treated some 1,749 animals in just two days.
“We strongly believe in supporting income-generating activities, such as vocational training. With skills, one can earn money and feed a family,” said contingent commander Colonel Vijay Rawat in the UNMISS news story.
“In December last year we provided training in carpentry, masonry and on the use of rain and water, and we hope that the participants can earn a living from this. We want to be remembered because we have left positive memories with the people who live here ‘ said Colonel Rawat.
The contingent also held computer literacy workshops for girls and boys.
“It is an honor to receive this medal, which will embellish my uniform for the rest of my career. We provide medical services to peacekeepers and the local population, but we also share our knowledge about disease prevention and gender-based violence.” the report quoted Major Pooja Nair, a doctor and one of only two women in the current Indian contingent.
India is one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions. Currently, 2,385 Indian military personnel, the second highest after Rwanda, and 30 police officers are deployed to UNMISS.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.)