Kathmandu, June 26. On Friday, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) organized a Medal Day Parade Ceremony. 

The event marked a special moment in the history of Nepali Army, as 698 of its personnel, including 22 women received awards for their outstanding performance in South Sudan.

During the event, UNMISS Force Commander Lieutenant General Shailesh Tinaikar on behalf of UN Secretary General, presented a Letter of Commendation to the Nepali Army Officer Captain Bigyan Bista. Generally, Force Commander and Deputy Force Commander do not travel/go together but both had travelled together to attend this special ceremony.

Captain Bista, an officer of the 10th contingent of the Kalidhwaj Battalion, is currently deployed as a peacekeeper in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Bista was awarded for his extraordinary performance in preventing inter-communal violence in Cueibet County of Lakes State last November. 

The Force Commander also pinned medals on the Nepalese peacekeepers from same family working in UNMISS. For the first time in Nepali Army’s history, Sector East Commander Brigadier General Deepak Kumar Baniya and his son Lieutenant (Doctor) Dibya Pratap Baniya who are both serving at UNMISS were awarded the peacekeeping medals. Similarly, three couples two of which were integrated into the NA as part of the Maoist integration process were also awarded the medals. Twin brothers and another set of brothers were also awarded during the occasion.  

10 personnel from the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) including Captain Bigyan Bista that prevented inter-communal violence in Cueibet County were also awarded the prestigious Nepali Army Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation badge for their exemplary performance. This was the first time Army personnel were awarded the commendation badge abroad and in an impromptu manner for their extra-ordinary performance. 

Sharing the pictures of the event, UNMISS wrote on its official twitter handle, “Let’s all thank 676 of the finest sons and 22 of the greatest daughters from “the roof of the world” have been awarded UN medals for outstanding service as UNMISS peacekeepers in South Sudan. We’re as proud of you as you should be!”

Let’s all thank #Nepal🇳🇵: 676 of the finest sons and 22 of the greatest daughters from “the roof of the world” have been awarded @UN medals for outstanding service as #UNMISS peacekeepers in #SouthSudan. We’re as proud of you as you should be! #HonouringOurValues #ServingForPeace pic.twitter.com/Op2BkJOSb3

— UNMISS (@unmissmedia) June 25, 2021

The Nepalese Battalion has been deployed in the Mission area since the past 10 months. 

Besides normal peacekeeping duties including of protecting civilians, the Nepalese contingent is also providing additional veterinary services, vocational training, life-saving medical assistance and other outreach activities. 

Nepali Army in UN Peacekeeping

The Nepali Army joined the United Nations Peacekeeping in 1948. Since then, more than  One hundred thirty thousand Nepali army personnel have served in 43 missions around the globe.

Nepali Army is currently the third largest contributor to the peacekeeping operations. At present, 5,154 personnels including 176 female soldiers are deployed in 12 different missions.

According to the Nepali Army database, 68 of its members lost their lives and 66 lost their appendages while in peacekeeping missions.

Nepal has a future commitment to provide up to 10,000 peacekeepers to the UN missions.

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