The United Nations has posthumously honoured Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh, an Indian peacekeeper who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving under the UN flag. He was among the over 60 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers recognised for their service and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Naik Singh, who served with the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), received the prestigious Dag Hammarskjold medal during a commemorative ceremony on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, accepted the award on behalf of Naik Singh. The ceremony, held at the United Nations Headquarters on a recent date, marked a solemn occasion to honour all UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives in service since 1948.”,
“In his message to mark Peacekeepers’ Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid tribute to the 76,000 United Nations peacekeepers worldwide. He highlighted the incredible dedication and bravery displayed by these individuals who work diligently in some of the most dangerous and unstable regions to protect civilians, uphold human rights, and strengthen institutions. Guterres noted that more than 4,300 peacekeepers have paid the ultimate price while serving under the UN flag, emphasizing that their sacrifices will never be forgotten. The Dag Hammarskjold Medals were posthumously awarded to a total of 64 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers, including 61 who lost their lives the previous year.”,
“During the ceremony, it was mentioned that Naik Singh was a member of the Army Medical Corps and served as a nursing assistant, providing crucial medical services to military personnel. He played a vital role in the Indian Battalion-1 and carried out responsibilities such as vaccination of troops, medical examinations, and combat medical care duties. His dedication and professionalism were recognized by his colleagues and superiors. Tragically, Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh passed away on November 1, 2023, due to ischemic heart disease while on duty.”,
“India, as the second largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping, currently deploys over 6,000 military and police personnel to various UN operations around the world. Nearly 180 Indian peacekeepers have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, the highest number among troop-contributing countries. The UN Secretary-General laid a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial Site to honour all fallen peacekeepers. The ceremony also celebrated Major Radhika Sen, an Indian woman peacekeeper, who was honoured with the ‘2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award’ for her remarkable service and leadership.”,
“The recognition of Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh’s sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the dedication and bravery exhibited by Indian peacekeepers in upholding the values of peace and humanitarianism on a global scale. As the UN continues to honour the legacy of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, it underscores the unwavering commitment of individuals like Naik Singh to strive for a more peaceful and secure world.
