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Dharam Shourie in United Nations
The United Nations has honoured India with the Dag Hammarskjold medals in recognition of sacrifices by its nationals during peacekeeping operations.
The UN recognised the supreme sacrifices made by the peacekeepers on Thursday and India was among the first 20 countries to be honoured, with 106 of its peacekeepers receiving the medals posthumously.
India's acting permanent representative to the UN, A Gopinanthan, received the medal presented posthumously to Sepoy Ram Chander Nasim, who served with the UN Emergency Force in West Asia and was the first Indian casualty in the peacekeeping operations. Nasim died on August 19, 1955.
Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping operations Jean-Marie Guehenno presented the medal at a brief ceremony. The remaining 105 medals were handed over to the Indian officials later.
The egg-shaped medal is made of clear lead crystal and engraved with the name and date of the death of recipient, the UN logo and the inscriptions 'The Dag Hammarskjold Medal: In the Service of Peace' in English and French.
Other countries, which received the medals, included China, Argentina, Australia, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Panama, Peru, Brazil, Chad, Chile, Croatia, Denmark and Greece.
India is among the largest troop contributors to the UN.
PTI
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