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| Indian ambassador to Korea Sripriya Ranganathan, first from right, and Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Hwang Ki-chul, second from right, tour the "Indian 60th Para Field Ambulance: a journey of 39 months" exhibit at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan District, Seoul, March 3. Courtesy of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
India was one of the countries that sent a large-scale medical unit to South Korea during the Korean War as part of humanitarian aid. They were known as "the angels in brown berets," referring to their iconic reddish-brown berets, and treated some 220,000 soldiers and civilians alike from November 1950 until they withdrew in 1954.
The Embassy of India in Korea and the War Memorial of Korea are co-hosting a photo exhibition revisiting the efforts of the Indian medical support unit, commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the Korean War.
"Indian 60th Para Field Ambulance: a journey of 39 months" sheds light on the contribution of the Indian soldiers who practiced humanity amid the harsh environment of the Korean War.
India was a neutral country and did not send combat forces during the Korean War, but dispatched the medical support unit 60th Para Field Ambulance (PFA) and the Custodian Forces of India (CFI), which was in charge of protection and repatriation of prisoners of war to South Korea.
"I've spoken with many Koreans regarding the difficult times you endured during the (Korean) War and have found that many have a deep appreciation for the humanitarian contributions made by the 60th Para Field Ambulance Unit, led by Korean War hero Lieutenant Colonel Rangaraj. That unit rendered selfless service during those difficult times to treat over 220,000 patients," Indian Ambassador to Korea Sripriya Ranganathan said during the opening ceremony of the exhibit on March 3.
"Many are also familiar with the heroism of India's Colonel Unni Nair, for whom a memorial has been erected in Daegu."
She also pointed out lesser-known parts of India's participation in the Korean War.
"Very few know of India's leadership within the framework of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission and the truly remarkable role played by the Custodian Forces of India."
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| An Indian officer of the 60 Para Field Ambulance Unit treats patients during the Korean War. Courtesy of the War Memorial of Korea |
When she discovered about the Indian units contribution to world peace and early friendship between India and Korea at the grand commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the war in 2020, the ambassador began to get in touch with Indian Korean War veterans and their family members to record their oral histories.
"We reached out to the Indian Army units that had sent their men to serve on the Korean peninsula and managed to gather many important documents, photos, and even a war diary. We have captured these discoveries in this exhibition and photo album. By doing so, we honor our brave soldiers who willingly gave their lives in the cause of peace," she said.
Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Hwang Ki-chul explained how the exhibit bridges the two countries by revisiting the Indian troops during the Korean War.
"India sent the largest number of medical personnel, 627 people among the surrounding states that contributed medical assistance during the Korean War. The history of selfless sacrifice made by Indian Medical forces is the evidence of unity, solidarity and humanitarianism, born in battlefields," Hwang said.
The exhibit traces the journey of Indian soldiers through some 50 photos from their 14-day sailing from Mumbai to Busan in November 1950 to their camps in Korea as well as the iconic brown berets of the 60th PFA officers.
The exhibit runs through June 12.
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