"When all other means fail to uphold righteousness,
it is morally right to take up arms."
Guru Gobind Singh Ji
The price of peace sometimes has to be paid at the expense of tactical freedom in the military sphere. History will not fail to justify the restraints whereby the United Nations suffered tactical limitation as the price of avoiding universal war. If the avoidance of World War is a precious objective, then it is surely worth that price.
UN peacekeepers come from all walks of life, with diverse cultural backgrounds and from an ever growing number of member states. When they serve under the United Nations they are united by a commitment to maintain or restore world peace and security. They share a common purpose to protect the most vulnerable and provide support to countries in transition from conflict to peace.
Sikh UN Peacekeepers have long been the best chance for peace for some of the world's most vulnerable people. Their service and sacrifice frequently under harsh and dangerous conditions has made the ''Blue Turban'' a symbol of hope to millions of people. The UN peacekeepers are always know as "blue berets" or "blue helmets"
From protecting civilians, disarming ex-combatants and helping countries transition from conflict to peace, Sikh men in uniform have served the cause of peace from the earliest years of United Nations peacekeeping and continue to do so in some of the most challenging missions. This spirit of compassion has been repeatedly expressed by Indian peacekeeping units in United Nations operations. It embodies the ethos the Sikh soldier brings to soldiering, whether at home or abroad.
India has a long and distinguished history of service in UN peacekeeping, having contributed more personnel than any other country. More than 200,000 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 peacekeeping missions established around the world since 1948.
More than one million men and women have served under the UN flag since 1948.Tragically, more than 3,500 have lost their lives in the cause of peace.
India's longstanding service has not come without cost; as of 30 June 2018, over 160 Indian peacekeepers have paid the ultimate price in service to peace while serving with the United Nations.
Their sacrifices on behalf of the international community are one of the most concrete expressions of the UN Charter's determination "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war."
"India has lost more peacekeepers than any other Member State. We grieve with the families and the people and Government of India for these losses," noted Under-Secretary-General Lacroix.
"India's continued commitment to UN peace operations and to global peace and security - even through these difficult periods - is invaluable."
The despairs which attack both democracy and peace have their roots in human misery, in social injustice, in economic apathy. Thus, when we assert the concepts of social progress and development, we defend peace at an earlier stage than when we are forced to take up arms in its defence.~ Ambassador Abba Eban. Permanent representative of Israel on United Nations Organization.
Battlefields around the world are replete with examples of this spirit of devotion unto death, which have led Indian troops to stand their ground to the last man and the last bullet, even against overwhelming odds. The numerous war memorials and cemeteries scattered around the globe bear mute testimony to the enormous sacrifice made by Indian soldiers in the wars of the previous centuries.
The Virtual Memorial Wall of Indian United Nations Peacekeepers who has laid down their lives in United Nations peacekeeping operations bares the testimony of their sacrifice and will always be remembered and their accomplishments live on India's commitment to peace.
'Their name liveth for ever more'
See the Details of Indian Soldiers / Police Personnel Died in UN Peacekeeping Operations.
The following gallantry awards have been won by the Indian gallant soldiers in UN Missions.
o Param Vir Chakra -01
o Mahavir Chakra -06
o Kirti Chakra -02
o Vir Chakra -20
o Shaurya Chakra -09
o Yudh Seva Medal -04
o Sena Medal -32
Resources :~
i) United Nations Peace Keeping Organisations.
ii) Permanent Mission of India to the UN https://www.pminewyork.org/index
iii) UN Photo
iv) Tom Felle ; https://tomfelle.com/photography/
By : [email protected]
