#ArmedForcesFlagDay: Rajnath Singh pays tribute to armed forces
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New Delhi, Dec 7: Armed Forces Flag Day is marked in India every year on December 7 to honour martyrs and the men in uniform who serve India. Citizens are urged to make voluntary contributions towards the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund for the welfare of personnel and ex-servicemen, their family members and also to rehabilitate those injured in wars.
On this occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday paid tribute to the Indian forces on the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day and reminded the country to ensure the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families.
"On the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day, I salute the valour and service of the Indian Armed Forces. This day reminds us of our solemn duty to ensure the welfare of Ex-Servicemen, differently-abled soldiers and the families of those who lost their lives defending the nation," Defence Minister tweeted.
On the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day, I salute the valour and service of the Indian Armed Forces.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 7, 2020
This day reminds us of our solemn duty to ensure the welfare of Ex-Servicemen, differently-abled soldiers and the families of those who lost their lives defending the nation. pic.twitter.com/Fpp5VAxABt
Since past few days, Singh has been appealing people to contribute in Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) to honour sacrifices made by soldiers in the line of duty. Last week, he had also announced that 'Armed Forces Flag Day' would be celebrated throughout December. The collected fund is used for the welfare of the Armed Forces personnel and ex-servicemen and also to rehabilitate battle causalities. Small flags are also distributed on this day in return for donations.
The day was first observed on December 7, 1949. That year, the then government attempted to involve the common people to contribute to the welfare of the defence personnel. After the country gained Independence, there was an imminent shortage of funds for the welfare of armed forces. On August 28, 1949, a committee set up under the defence minister decided to observe a Flag Day annually on December 7. The committee had also suggested that it would distribute flags to the citizens in exchange of them contributing to the fund for armed forces personnel.
To celebrate the day, all three branches of the Indian armed forces - the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force (IAF) 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.
According to the ministry of defence, each year around 60,000 defence personnel are compulsorily retired, to keep the armed forces young. They are released between 35-40 years of age and they are physically fit and young. Therefore, caring for these ex-soldiers and their families is a national responsibility.