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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Major Abhilasha Barak after she was honoured with the prestigious 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. The award recognises her efforts to promote gender equality and strengthen the role of women in peacekeeping operations.
"This honour is a recognition of her exemplary service and also of India’s longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping efforts," PM Modi wrote on X.
He added, "Her achievement is also an inspiration to countless young Indians, especially our daughters, who aspire to serve the nation and humanity."
Born in Rohtak, Haryana, Major Barak is serving as an Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). She is the daughter of a retired Army colonel.
She graduated from Delhi Technological University in 2016 and joined the Indian Army after completing her training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai in 2017.
She joined the Indian Army's Air Defence Corps in September 2018. In 2019, she led the Air Defence Corps contingent during a special ceremony where then President Ram Nath Kovind presented the President's Colours to the regiment, an honour awarded to military units for distinguished service.
Major Barak made history in 2022 by becoming theIndian Army's first woman combat aviator after completing specialised helicopter training in Nashik, Maharashtra.
She is the third woman officer from India to win this prestigious UN award. Earlier, Indian Army officers Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen had also received the honour.
"Major Barak, you are a role model to those you serve – and those you serve with. Congratulations, and thank you for your service," the UN stated.
The UN also said, "Her work shows the critical role that UNIFIL plays for local communities – and how its presence is transforming the lives of women and girls, even under the most challenging circumstances."
"This honour is a recognition of her exemplary service and also of India’s longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping efforts," PM Modi wrote on X.
He added, "Her achievement is also an inspiration to countless young Indians, especially our daughters, who aspire to serve the nation and humanity."
Who is Major Abhilasha Barak
Congratulations to Major Abhilasha Barak on being conferred the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. Major Barak is serving as an Engagement
Team Commander and Gender Focal Point within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This honour is a recognition… pic.twitter.com/00Yyv963GT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 7, 2026
Born in Rohtak, Haryana, Major Barak is serving as an Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). She is the daughter of a retired Army colonel.
She graduated from Delhi Technological University in 2016 and joined the Indian Army after completing her training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai in 2017.
She joined the Indian Army's Air Defence Corps in September 2018. In 2019, she led the Air Defence Corps contingent during a special ceremony where then President Ram Nath Kovind presented the President's Colours to the regiment, an honour awarded to military units for distinguished service.
Major Barak made history in 2022 by becoming theIndian Army's first woman combat aviator after completing specialised helicopter training in Nashik, Maharashtra.
She is the third woman officer from India to win this prestigious UN award. Earlier, Indian Army officers Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen had also received the honour.
"Major Barak, you are a role model to those you serve – and those you serve with. Congratulations, and thank you for your service," the UN stated.
The UN also said, "Her work shows the critical role that UNIFIL plays for local communities – and how its presence is transforming the lives of women and girls, even under the most challenging circumstances."
