Main Set To Be Honoured By UN

Main Sen graduated as a biotech engineer.

New Delhi:

Main Radhika Sen, a peacekeeper who served with the United Nations peacekeeping mission within the Democratic Republic of Congo, was pursuing a profession in biotechnology earlier than she joined the Indian Military. Main Sen mentioned it was after she made the change that she realised there was no higher means for her to serve humanity and the nation.

Talking solely to NDTV, the Main, who might be honoured by the United Nations with the distinguished 2023 Navy Gender Advocate of the Yr Award, additionally mentioned that being a part of the Indian Military made the challenges confronted by her within the Congo simpler as a result of troopers within the drive work in numerous areas of the nation and are uncovered to completely different environments.

Main Sen will obtain the award, which recognises a army peacekeeper who has greatest built-in a gender perspective into peacekeeping actions, from UN Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres.

Requested in regards to the problem of guaranteeing that peacekeepers beneath her command recognised the significance of gender and socio-cultural norms within the nation, Main Sen, who served with the Organisation Stabilization Mission within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), mentioned, “The nation has an extended historical past. It has its personal tradition. It has its personal custom. There are lots of socio-economic points that occur. However, I’d say, being part of India, which is a culturally wealthy and a various nation, and particularly being part of the Indian Military, helped.

“As a result of all my troopers have been working in numerous areas of the nation, and so they have served in numerous terrains, they’ve seen completely different environments, it was not likely difficult for me to have a workforce. I’d say it was their assist and cooperation which has motivated me and helped me to get the data and the issues of the folks higher. So, (it was) as a result of we’re from India and the Indian Military offers you all the chance and publicity attainable (that) it was straightforward for me,” she asserted. 

On rape and violence getting used as an implement of warfare within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Main Sen mentioned it is vitally necessary for peacekeeping forces to have a gender perspective as a result of it helps construct an inclusive and sustainable peace course of.

“In any battle, it’s at all times the ladies and the women who’re extra affected and who face elevated danger of abuse. So, I’d say, why ought to any human being undergo? As ladies peacekeepers, we attempt to handle their issues and encourage them to boost their voices,” she mentioned. 

The officer defined that they realised that speaking to the nation’s management wasn’t sufficient and so they started to talk to native communities to get a greater thought of points dealing with the folks within the nation. 

“We had additionally concerned ourselves into creating consciousness about many matters that concern ladies, like ladies’s well being and schooling on sexual violence in battle. We additionally engaged with folks on creating employment coaching, like baking and tailoring for girls and English coaching for kids. So there have been a number of issues that we tried to do in an effort to interact with folks which might assist us handle their issues higher,” she mentioned. 

The main additionally spoke about misinformation unfold towards MONUSCO and mentioned there have been occasions after they had been participating with those that they needed to get into automobiles and return as a result of stones had been thrown at them. 

The Main Swap

Main Sen graduated as a biotech engineer and was pursuing a Grasp’s diploma from IIT Bombay when she determined to hitch the Military. 

When she was requested about what made her make the change, she mentioned, “I at all times wished to serve humanity and India, however I at all times thought I’d I will be a scientist and do it. In my final 12 months of school, I utilized for an SSB (Service Choice Board), only for the sake of it. And I went for the SSB simply to see Allahabad, I assumed I’ll see a brand new place and, in some way, I simply cleared it.”

“I used to be having fun with learning – I like science. I like to check. It was my dad and mom who’ve taught me there are lots of methods of serving mankind and the nation, and I believe there is not any higher means for me to do it than what I am doing now. And I can’t be happier that I selected this area and it is simply actually good to be part of the armed forces,” she emphasised.