New Delhi: It is a moment of pride for India as an Indian woman peacekeeper Major Radhika Sen, who served in the UN mission in Congo, will be awarded a prestigious military gender advocate award by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on May 30 (Thursday), the day marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

Following this achievement, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, sharing the moment of joy in a post on X said, " Major Radhika Sen will be honoured with the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award on May 30th for her outstanding service in DR Congo. Her dedication and bravery highlight the invaluable role of #women peacekeepers in building a better world. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and inspired by her commitment to peace and equality."

Sen was also appreciated by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who described her as a "true leader and role model. Her service was a true credit to the United Nations as a whole."

In a candid conversation with news agency PTI, Sen expressed her gratitude and joy over receiving the UN award. She said, "This is indeed a matter of honour and privilege for me that I get to not just represent my team but all the esteemed colleagues of mine, the peacekeepers in MONUSCO, and especially my home country India."

"Representing the country at such an international forum is a feeling beyond description,” she added.

Who is Radhika Sen?

Radhika Sen was born in Himachal Pradesh in 1993. She graduated as a biotech engineer and was pursuing her Master's from IIT Bombay, when she decided to join the Indian Army.

In 2023, she was deployed to MONUSCO in March 2023 as the "Engagement Platoon Commander" with the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion and completed her tenure in April 2024.

Radhika is the second Indian peacekeeper who will receive this prestigious award from the UN, following Major Suman Gawani, who served with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and was honoured with the Award in 2019.