Armed Forces Flag Day is celebrated on 7 December every year since 1949 to honour those soldiers who valiantly fought on the borders to safeguard the country’s honor. The day is dedicated to the collection of funds from the people of India for the welfare of the Indian Armed Forces personnel.
On August 28, 1949, the government had set up a committee under the defence minister and had decided to observe a Flag Day annually on December 7. This came right after India had achieved independence and the welfare of the defence personnel had to be taken care of. The Armed Forces Flag Day was basically observed to distribute small flags to the general population and in return collect donations.
On Armed Forces Flag Day, let us honour the fortitude, courage and sacrifice of our brave soldiers and pledge to contribute towards the welfare of their families. To donate, you can visit https://t.co/sUFcAAPJej. #ArmedForcesFlagDay pic.twitter.com/xHC2qcHffD
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) December 7, 2020
The Flag Day fund, which was set up in 1949, is managed in the country by locals arms of the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), which is a part of the Ministry of Defence.
Armed Forces Flag Day is being observed today.
Govt requests all citizens to connect with the cause of war-widows, Ex-Servicemen, wards of martyred soldiers and contribute generously to Armed Forces Flag Day Fund
Contributions to AFFDF are exempt from Income Tax.#AFFDF pic.twitter.com/fIYXJhsjla
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 7, 2020
The government had constituted the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) for the welfare and rehabilitation of the ex-servicemen (ESM) community. There are more than 32 lakh ESM and around 60,000 are added every year due to superannuation.
The Armed Forces Flag Day is mainly observed to serve three basic purposes
- Rehabilitation of battle casualties
- The welfare of serving personnel and their families
- Resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen and their families
Contribute to the Flag Day Fund
Contributions for the Flag Day Fund are received throughout the year from the Public.
As per the Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat website, contributions to the Fund are recommended to be sent through account payee cheques payable to”Armed Forces Flag Day Fund” C/o Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, Ministry of Defence, West Block IV, Wing-VII, 2nd Floor, RK Puram, New Delhi – 110066 or may be deposited directly into the following banks in favour of “ARMED FORCES FLAG DAY FUND” in account nos mentioned against them.
For more details, click here. http://ksb.gov.in/DonateAFFDF.htm
The fund collection is managed by the local arms of the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), which is part of the Ministry of Defence. The collection is organised both by official and non-official means through voluntary organisations. Though welfare of the ex-servicemen and their dependents is the joint responsibility of the Central government and the governments of States and Union Territories (UTs), majority of the problems have to be resolved only by the states and UTs.
