The Hindu : National : Stamp released on India's role in U.N. peace missions

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 25, 2004

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National

Stamp released on India's role in U.N. peace missions

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Army Chief N.C. Vij releasing a postage stamp and first day cover on the occasion of United Nations Day, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday. - PTI

NEW DELHI, OCT. 24. The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today released a stamp to commemorate 25 years of India's contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping missions.

The stamp was released at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan in the presence of top military and civil officials and Minister of State for Communications, Shakeel Ahmed.

India has so far participated in 37 U.N. peacekeeping missions, contributing over 70,000 troops in 25 years.

At present, India has 3,500 troops engaged in peacekeeping operations in Congo, Eritrea and Lebanon.

The Congo mission would be upgraded to a brigade group this year while a battalion is being sent to Sudan in 2005.

Addressing the function, the President said the Army may constitute a task team of its personnel presently working in U.N. missions and commanders who had worked in the past to collate their experiences and prepare a book on peacekeeping experiences.

"This will become a vital training document for our troops during future operations and also an interesting archival information for military historians," he said.

Mr. Kalam said it was essential to evolve the principle of "enlightened citizenship" in many of the countries based on Asian ethos to reduce the tensions in the world that are transforming into wars. — PTI

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