The International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers-2024 was observed in Rajshahi in a befitting manner like the other parts of the country today. Marking the day, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) in the morning organised a rally from Circuit House premises in the city to honour the memories of the UN peacekeepers who laid down their lives for the cause of peace and security in war-torn countries across the world. The theme of the day, "Fit for the Future: Building Better Together", calls on each of us to join the global movement for peace, while recognizing the service and sacrifice of the peacekeepers past and present, including over 4,200 peacekeepers who have given their lives under the UN flag. Principal of Bangladesh Police Academy (BPA), Sardah Masudur Rahman Bhuiyan and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police of Rajshahi Range Anisur Rahman and RMP Commissioner Biplob Bijoy Talukder flanked by other high-ranking military, police and civil officials led the rally. Subsequently, they opened the day's programmes through releasing festoons, balloons and pigeons and they also planted a tree-sapling on the occasion. A discussion was also held at the RMP Headquarter premises highlighting the remarkable contributions and sacrifice to the UN Missions made by the Bangladeshi Peacekeepers. BPA Principal Masudur Rahman Bhuiyan, who is Additional Inspector General of Police, and Rajshahi Range DIG Anisur Rahman addressed the discussion as chief and special guests respectively with RMP Commissioner Biplob Bijoy Talukder in the chair. Among others, Director of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital Brig Gen Shameem Ahmed, BPA DIG Rakfer Sultana, Principal of Rajshahi College Prof Abdul Khaleque, Additional DIG Faisal Mahmud and Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi division Kabir Uddin and representatives of Bangladesh Army, BGB, RAB, fire brigade and Rajshahi Central Jail were present. Masurur Rahman Bhuiyan said the purpose of observing the day is to underscore the importance of maintai ning global peace, pay tributes to those who are involved in the peacekeeping missions and honour the UN peacekeepers who have already lost their lives for global peace. The Day, 29th May, offers a chance to pay tributes to the contributions of the uniformed and civilian personnel to the work of the organisation and to honour scores of peacekeepers who have lost their lives in serving under the UN flag since 1948. Combined Forces of Bangladesh (BCF) and Bangladesh Police (BP) are working with the International Peacekeeping activities for over the last three decades and performing their duties successfully, he added. Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations. First UN force to serve with the Organization in 1988, to help to monitor the armistice between Iran and Iraq. Since 1988, Bangladesh has participated in 56 peacekeeping missions in 40 different countries over five continents with more than 188,558 uniformed personnel, including over 1,800 female peacek eepers. Bangladesh has sent its personnel to at least 45 UN Peacekeeping Operations and more than 83,000 personnel of Bangladesh have served in those missions. Apart from this, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have never retreated in the face of danger when confronted with 'unknown enemies on foreign soil'. Peacekeepers working under complex and dangerous circumstances often endangered their lives. So far, 167 peacekeepers, including 22 police, from Bangladesh have lost their lives while serving in the UN peacekeeping operations. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
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