Five Indians were among 125 peacekeepers honoured by the United Nations for making the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace last year.
At a brief solemn ceremony, Counsellor at the Indian Mission to the United Nations Taranjit Singh Sandhu accepted the Dag Hammarskjwld medals on behalf of the families of the fallen heroes. They would be forwarded to the bereaved families.
The five killed in the line of duty at various UN missions included Havildar Nazimuddin Mollaha, Lt Havildar Vishnu Baghwan Shinde, Lt Havildar Mun Prakash, Naib Subedar Ram Kripal Singh and civilian Sarang Das Dhar.
Praising the courage of peacekeepers, Secretary-General Kofi Annan noted that with the missions becoming more and more complex, they are facing increasingly dangerous situations as is clear from the fact that more peacekeepers were killed last year than in any other during the last decades.
He also warned those perpetrating crimes against the peacekeepers that they would be individually held responsible for the killings.
On the occasion, Annan demanded immediate release of seven Nepalese peacekeepers who were reportedly taken prisoners following a clash with rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo in which one their countryman was killed.
"While every fallen hero leaves behind an army of mourners, so too do they put in place a legacy of which their families, friends and fellow nationals and global citizens can remain forever proud," he said, calling on those present to observe a moment of silence in their memory.
{{/usCountry}}"While every fallen hero leaves behind an army of mourners, so too do they put in place a legacy of which their families, friends and fellow nationals and global citizens can remain forever proud," he said, calling on those present to observe a moment of silence in their memory.
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