India launches memorial wall for peacekeepers

India has launched a virtual Memorial Wall to honour its soldiers who laid down their lives while serving in UN peacekeeping operations, a precursor to the eventual construction of a permanent memorial wall at the world body’s headquarters proposed by the country.

The wall was unveiled by India’s Ambassador to the UN Asoke Mukerji at a solemn ceremony to mark the International Day of UN Peacekeepers here on Friday.

The wall of honour includes details of 161 Indian peacekeepers who were killed in the line of duty in 16 UN Peacekeeping Missions so far. The wall will be hosted on the website of the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations.

The initiative is a precursor to the eventual construction of a UN Peacekeepers Memorial Wall on the premises of the UN headquarters, a proposal given by India “as an appropriate way to commemorate all the troops from member states of the United Nations who had given their lives while on duty under the Blue Flag of the United Nations,” the Mission said.