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| Raju to visit Indian peace keepers in Lebanon | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Sep 8
The Minister of State for Defence, MM Pallam Raju, will pay a 3-day visit to Lebanon from September,12 to oversee the 900 Indian contingents deployed in the UN Peace Keeping Operations. Raju will interact with officers and troops and review the contribution and role of Indian troops in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). He will be accompanied by Major General BV Nair, Addl DG (CW). This will be the first visit, in more than five years, by a union minister to any Indian peacekeeping mission abroad.
India has deployed one infantry battalion in Lebanon charged with the responsibility of Eastern position of South Lebanon. During the Israel- Hizbollah 34 day war in 2006, the gallant actions of 4 SIKH were lauded by all. In recognition of the gallant performance, 4 SIKH was presented the UNIFIL Unit Citation for its distinguished role. In addition, 73 personnel of 4 SIKH were awarded UNIFIL Force Commander's Special Commendation for outstanding performance.
India, as a founder member of the United Nations, has been a firm supporter for the purposes and principles of the United Nations and has made significant contributions. India's ideal was, and remains, strengthening the whole body, and International Peace Security, and time and again, India has placed at risk the lives of its soldiers in peace keeping efforts of the UN.
India is the 3rd largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping operations. So far, we have taken part in 43 peacekeeping missions with more than 90,000 troops all over the world in various countries like Korea, Congo, Gaza, Somalia, Lebanon, Sudan etc. The first deployment started in 1950's, when India sent troops to Korea in 1953-54. Presently, India has deployed 8,875 personnel in UN peacekeeping operations worldwide. The dedication, commitment and devotion to Peace Keeping have made the Indian soldiers the most sought after peacekeeper by the United Nations. India has provided 12 Force Commanders in various UN Missions. Towards the fulfillment of our commitment to the UN and world peace, 124 Indian soldiers have, so far made supreme sacrifice.
The Indian Army has also undertaken various humanitarian tasks, besides the operational tasks in the Mission Areas to create an enviable reputation for itself, like conduct of Jaipur Foot Projects in Lebanon, medical camps for the locals, veterinary camps, AIDS awareness camps, construction of schools, play grounds and temporary shelters, digging of bore wells, constructing check dams for water harvesting, running vocational training institutes for self-employment, organizing sports functions for local school children and assistance for resettlement and rehabilitation.
The UN is the largest multilateral contributor to the post conflict stabilization world-wide. There are more than one lakh personnel serving in 20 Peace Keeping Operations. Women are increasingly performing key leadership roles in the peace keeping. Between Feb 2007 and Jan 2008, there was an increase of 40% women serving in the peace keeping. The first all women contingent to serve in a peace keeping mission was a police unit from India which was deployed in 2007 to the UN operations in Liberia. |
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