Swathi Shanthakumar

[JAMMU AND KASHMIR RIFLES ASSOCIATION (JKRA) @Jkra_Group]

🇺🇳 Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Conferred on Nb Sub Sujit Kumar Pradhan🇮🇳

On the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, the United Nations honoured the supreme sacrifice of Nb Sub Sujit Kumar Pradhan of 3 JAK RIF (UNMISS) by posthumously awarding him the prestigious Dag Hammarskjöld Medal on 05 Jun 2026.

The medal was presented by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and received by India’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Harish P, at UN Headquarters, New York.

A wreath-laying ceremony also paid tribute to all brave peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of global peace.

🫡Forever remembered. Forever honoured. 🇮🇳

#IndianArmy #JAKRIF #UNPeacekeepers #DagHammarskjoldMedal #UNMISS #ServiceBeforeSelf #Sacrifice #PeacekeepersDay #ProudIndianArmy

[Aditya Raj Kaul @AdityaRajKaul]

United Nations Peacekeepers Day

New Delhi, 29 May 2026

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers was commemorated in New Delhi with a series of solemn and significant events honouring the dedication, sacrifice and professionalism of Indian peacekeepers serving under the United Nations flag across the globe.

As part of the commemorative activities, wreath laying was conducted at the National War Memorial, New Delhi, by Lt Gen Vipul Shinghal, Deputy Chief of the Army staff, to pay homage to the brave Indian peacekeepers who made the supreme sacrifice while serving in various UN peacekeeping missions.

In a poignant tribute to fallen peacekeepers, the prestigious Dag Hammarskjold Medal was awarded posthumously to Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh of MONUSCO and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan of UNMISS in recognition of their courage, devotion to duty, and ultimate sacrifice in the service of international peace and security.

The occasion also recognised the outstanding achievements of Maj Abhilasha Barak, who has been awarded 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year award for her accomplishments in UNIFIL mission. Achievements of the officer will inspire women officers and peacekeepers across the nation, reflecting India’s commitment towards inclusivity and excellence in global peace operations.

Further marking the occasion, a Strategic Interaction on “Future of UN Global Peacekeeping” was organised at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The event brought together senior military officials, diplomats, scholars and practitioners to deliberate upon contemporary peacekeeping challenges, evolving operational dynamics and India’s enduring contribution to UN peacekeeping efforts worldwide. The event observed key insights from Lt Gen Satish Nambiar (Retd), Amb Ruchira Kamboj, Mr Stefan Priesner UN RC in India, Maj Gen PK Goswami (Retd), Maj Gen (Dr) Gajinder Singh (Retd). The event also had Indian Peacekeepers from various missions sharing their on ground experience.

India remains one of the largest and most respected contributors to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, with its peacekeepers serving with professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment in some of the most challenging conflict zones across the world.

[JAMMU AND KASHMIR RIFLES ASSOCIATION (JKRA) @Jkra_Group]

Remembering the supreme sacrifice of L/Nk Hans Raj, KC, of 3 JAK RIF, RAGHUNATH BATTALION who laid down his life on 18 May 1960 during operations in the Naga Hills.

A solemn Wreath Laying Ceremony was held today at the JAK RIF Centre War Memorial to honour the brave warrior whose courage, valour, and devotion to the nation continue to inspire every soldier of the regiment.
🇮🇳

#JAKRIF #IndianArmy #Bravehearts #NationFirst #VeerJawan

[ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY @adgpi]

#GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS, today visited the Regimental Centre of his regiment, the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles (JAKRIF), where he addressed a special Sainik Sammelan and interacted with all ranks.

Reconnecting with his roots, the #COAS commended the training faculty and staff for their unwavering commitment and professionalism in shaping young recruits. He also visited the Regimental Museum (Gaurav Sanghralaya), reflecting on the rich legacy, proud traditions and enduring spirit of the regiment.

#DecadeofTransformation
@DefenceMinIndia
@SpokespersonMoD
@suryacommand

[Y K Joshi @YkJoshi5]

Heartiest congratulations Maj Gen MP Singh on taking over as Colonel of the Regiment of the prestigious JAK RIF and Ladakh Scouts !
Wishing you the best !
Jai Hind !! 🇮🇳
@Jkra_Group

[United Nations in India @UNinIndia]

For Major Swathi Shanthakumar & her team, work begins outside the @unmissmedia compound. As a leader of the first female engagement team from 🇮🇳, she finds creative ways to reach & engage with the local women.

Read more about her journey: https://t.co/TTUvc7gejN

@UNPeacekeeping

[PublicTV @publictvnews]

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಮೂಲದ ಮೇಜರ್ ಸ್ವಾತಿ ಶಾಂತಕುಮಾರ್‌ಗೆ ವಿಶ್ವಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಸೆಕ್ರೆಟರಿ ಜನರಲ್ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ https://t.co/dlchLD4gTf

#UnitedNations #SwathiShanthakumar #India #Bengaluru

[Prajavani @prajavani]

PHOTOS | ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಸ್ವಾತಿಗೆ ವಿಶ್ವಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಯ ಗರಿ
https://t.co/nzASZaPxrb
?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialshare via @prajavani

[Thamizh Alai @ThamizhAlai_]

Major Swathi : பெண் அமைதி காப்பாளர் - விருது வென்ற மேஜர் சுவாதி!

#MajorSwathiShanthakumar #IndianArmy #thamizhalai

https://t.co/eerHPlN2NU

[Research, News & Analysis @RNA_NewsMedia]

Major Swathi Shanthakumar: Meet Indian Army Officer Awarded UN’s Top Honour For Gender-Inclusive Peacekeeping

The honour recognises her exceptional contribution to gender-inclusive and gender-responsive peacekeeping.

https://t.co/XX8FbZRCwk

[࿗ Pranav Anand Iyer ࿗ 🕉️ @pranavanandm]

Major Swathi Shanthakumar 🫡

[MilitaryToCorp-M2C @Mil2Corp]

This is what global contribution from an Indian military leader looks like.

An Indian Army officer in uniform under the UN flag.

Major Swathi Shanthakumar has been honored with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Award for Gender-Inclusive Peacekeeping.

#indianarmy

[Veer Bharat Forces @ForcesVeer]

From India to conflict-torn Sudan, Major Swathi Shanthakumar 🇮🇳—Indian Army officer & UN Peacekeeper—shares her inspiring journey of courage & leadership on Raksha Sutra.
#InternationalWomensDay #IndianArmy #UNPeacekeeping

[Farhan @fnhindustani]

From India to conflict-torn Sudan, she stood on the frontlines of peace.
This International Women’s Day, meet Major Swathi Shanthakumar - an Indian Army officer, UN peacekeeper and a proud recipient of a prestigious United Nations honour. 🇮🇳

#Ministry_of_Defense

[The New Indian Express @NewIndianXpress]

In conflict-ridden South Sudan, where many women hesitate to approach male soldiers to report sexual violence or discuss sensitive health concerns, an Indian Army officer led a women’s team to change that.

Major Swathi Shanthakumar received the United Nations Secretary-General’s Award in the Gender category for 2025 in January this year, recognising the work she carried out during her 18-month deployment in the country.

🔗 https://t.co/mtJO1lMskf

[Ministry of Defence, Government of India @SpokespersonMoD]

Happy International Women’s Day!

Some dreams are not just about success…they are about service.

From being an engineer in Bengaluru to protecting lives in conflict-torn South Sudan - Major Swathi Shanthakumar chose a path that goes beyond borders & comfort.

Watch her in this podcast as she narrates the story of courage, purpose and answering a higher calling.

🎙️ Nari Shakti in Uniform: A Story of Service Beyond Borders is OUT NOW.

https://t.co/IpIeMwV6JG

https://t.co/uU8voR4vKy

@rajnathsingh
@DefenceMinIndia
@SethSanjayMP
@HQ_IDS_India
@adgpi
@DefProdnIndia
@indiannavy
@IAF_MCC
@PIB_India
@MIB_India

[PRO & Spokesperson, MoD, Jammu Region @prodefencejammu]

Happy International Women’s Day!

Some dreams are not just about success…they are about service.

From being an engineer in Bengaluru to protecting lives in conflict-torn South Sudan - Major Swathi Shanthakumar chose a path that goes beyond borders & comfort.

Watch her in this podcast as she narrates the story of courage, purpose and answering a higher calling.

🎙️ Nari Shakti in Uniform: A Story of Service Beyond Borders is OUT NOW.

https://t.co/mBD0L3yM5t…

https://t.co/F3JzBAFpQB…

@rajnathsingh
@DefenceMinIndia
@SethSanjayMP
@HQ_IDS_India
@SpokespersonMoD
@adgpi
@DefProdnIndia
@indiannavy
@IAF_MCC
@PIB_India
@MIB_India

[ETV Bharat Karnataka @ETVBharatKA]

ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಸುಡಾನ್‌ ಶಾಂತಿಪಾಲನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಯಶಸ್ವಿ ಮುಂದಾಳತ್ವ: ವಿಶ್ವಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ವಿಜೇತ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಮೇಜರ್ ಸ್ವಾತಿ ಶಾಂತಕುಮಾರ್ https://t.co/YfaZGjBVZD
#WomensDay2026 #swathishanthakumar

[Press Trust of India @PTI_News]

STORY | Peacekeeping not routine act; requires creativity, inclusion to make a difference: Maj Swathi

Indian Army officer Major Swathi Shanthakumar, who has been recognised by the UN for her work to address gender-based violence in South Sudan's Malakal, says peacekeeping is "not a singular or routine act", rather it requires creativity and inclusion to make a real difference.

READ: https://t.co/BIUvDckoCU

[Love India @gurpalsing97099]

From India to conflict-hit Sudan, Major Swathi Shanthakumar stood on the frontlines of peace. 🇮🇳

An Indian Army officer and @UN peacekeeper, honoured for her courage and service to humanity.

#InternationalWomensDay