Major Swathi Shantha Kumar
Major Swathi Shantha Kumar, an Indian Army officer from Bengaluru, has made the nation proud by winning the United Nations Secretary-General’s Award for 2025. This is one of the most important global honours given by the UN Secretary-General for outstanding work in peacekeeping and community service.
Who is Major Swathi?
Major Swathi is a 31-year-old officer serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), a peacekeeping mission that works to protect civilians and build peace in a country affected by conflict.
Originally from Bengaluru, she always dreamed of serving her country. She did her schooling in Bengaluru and graduated from the New Horizon College of Engineering following which she was commissioned in the Indian Army. Major Swathi has been in South Sudan for nearly 15 months and is expected to return to India early next month following which she will be posted in Secunderabad.
What Did She Do to Win the Award?
Major Swathi’s project, called “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace,” focused on gender-inclusive peacekeeping. Simply put, she worked to make peace efforts more supportive and responsive to the needs of women in conflict areas.
Here’s what her work involved:
She led the Indian engagement team under the UN mission, encouraging meaningful dialogue between peacekeepers and local women.
Her team carried out patrols on land, river, and by air, reaching remote and unsafe places to connect with people and build trust.
Through this work, they helped create a safer environment for more than 5,000 women and encouraged them to take part in community activities and peacebuilding.
The project competed with others from UN missions around the world and was voted the best in the Gender Category by UN personnel globally.
Why Is This Important?
The award recognises efforts that help make peacekeeping more inclusive and fair for everyone, especially women, a key goal of the United Nations. Major Swathi’s success shows how women leaders can make a real difference in conflict zones and international peace efforts.
A Proud Moment for India, Major Swathi’s achievement highlights India’s role in global peacekeeping and celebrates the growing contribution of women in the military and international service. Her journey is an inspiration for young people everywhere who dream of serving their country and the world.
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