#ArmedForceFlagDay: Day when wavy flags under safe Indian sky makes each Indian proud

New Delhi, December 7: Have you ever thought that we are celebrating so many festivals with so much of enthusiasm and joy happily with our families but who is protecting us? They are the Jawans of our nation who are protecting us twenty four hours and safeguarding India’s honor. Since 1949, 7th December is observed as the Armed Forces Flag Day throughout the country to honor the martyrs and the men in uniform.

During the course of achieving victories, in the various wars the nation has fought and in combating the ongoing cross-border terrorism and insurgency, our Armed Forces have lost and continue to lose valuable lives as well as leaving quite a few disabled. The trauma that the family suffers on demise of the head of the family is hard to fathom.

Those of our men who are disabled require care and rehabilitation so that they do not become a burden on their family and can instead lead a life of dignity. Further more, there are Ex- servicemen who suffer from serious diseases such as Cancer, Heart ailments and Joint Replacement etc. and who cannot afford the high cost of treatment. Hence, they too need our care and support.

The requirement of keeping our Armed Forces young necessitates the release of our service personnel at 35-40 years of age when they are still young, physically fit and have qualities of discipline, drive and leadership. Every year about 60000 Defence personnel are compulsorily retired. Caring for these ex-soldiers and their families is therefore a national responsibility.

On this day funds are collected from the people for the welfare of the Indian Armed Forces personnel. People can contribute to the AFFDF and the funds are used for the welfare of War-widows, children of Martyrs, War-disabled soldiers and Ex-servicemen.

On the Flag Day all three branches of the Indian armed forces, the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, arrange a variety of shows, carnivals, dramas and other entertainment programmes to showcase to the general public the efforts of their personnel to ensure national security. Throughout the country small flags and car flags in red, deep blue and light blue colors representing the three Services are distributed in return for donations.