About 135 Indian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) today received UN medals for their outstanding performance in Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative area.

It was a proud day for more than a billion Indians as India is among the largest troop contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions. And 103 Sri Lankan peacekeepers serving in the mission were also awarded for their service.

"Take a bow, people of #India! Some 135 of your peacekeeping troops, based in #SouthSudan and serving with #UNMISS, have received @UN medals for their outstanding performance in Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area," the UN Mission in South Sudan tweeted Monday.

“My heartfelt congratulations to all these officers for their contributions towards the fulfilment of the UNMISS mandate in this challenging environment,” UNMISS Force Commander Lieutenant General Shailesh Tinaikar said, according to a news article released by the mission.

“I admire the desire to achieve peace among all the military personnel receiving well-deserved medals on this day,” said Sector East Commander Brigadier General Deepak Kumar Baniya, who also oversaw the two award ceremonies. “The price of peace is sometimes very high,” he added, a statement supported by the fact that India’s participation in a total of 49 peacekeeping operations across the world has cost 157 lives.

He further added, “In the past, two helicopters have been shot down in this part of the country, but you have never let that stop you from carrying on with your vital work. You have been as brave and committed as one would expect pilots from your country to be,” said Force Commander Shailesh Tinaikar.

The article by UNMISS said that the Indian troops are posted in Bor, Pibor and at a temporary operating base in Akobo and have engaged in a variety of activities, including civil-military cooperation such as a veterinary camp. They have, like anybody working in Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, dealt with the violent reality in a volatile part of South Sudan, often plagued by intercommunal violence. Flooding and the resulting displacement of thousands of people have further complicated matters.

The medals were pinned to their chests by their UN Force Commander in Bor.

Image Source: UNMISS