Armed Forces Flag Day
- Armed Forces Flag Day is celebrated on December 7, every year throughout the country to honour the martyrs and the men in uniform who valiantly fought & continue to fight on our borders to safeguard the country’s honour.
- After India’s independence, government decided and held a meeting on August 28, 1949 to manage the welfare of its defence personnel under the defence minister, decided to observe a Flag Dayannually on December 7.
- The idea behind observing a Flag Day was to distribute small flags to the general population and in return collect donations. Flag Day gains more significance as it considers that it is the responsibility of the civilian population of India to take care of the families and dependents of the armed forces personnel who fight for the country.
- Flag Day serves to promote (1) Rehabilitation of battle casualties, (2) Welfare of serving personnel and their families and (3) Resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen and their families.
- There are about 60000 service personnel who are compulsorily retired every year at the ages of 35 – 40 years. This is because of the necessity of keeping a young force.
- The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) is administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board. The Fund is headed by the Defence Minister at the Centre and by the Governors or Lieutenant Governors at the Sate or Union Territory level.
- On this day, the three branches of the Indian armed forces namely, the army, the navy and the air force conduct shows, carnivals and other entertainment programmes for the public to spread awareness about their work. Small flags of the three services are distributed all over the country.
