Armed Forces Flag Day: Saluting Those Who Made Our Country Proud

Honouring and Helping the Families of Martyred Soldiers

The day is marked throughout the country to remember and pay our respect to the sacrifice made by the men in uniform who fought bravely on our borders to protect the country from the enemy forces and who foiled terrorist activities from across the border to safeguard the country's honour and its border. In an individual's life, there would not be a greater cause to lay down one's own life than for the country.

Our respect and admiration should also be with the families of the martyrs and to all those brave soldiers who got injured or were wounded during operations against terrorist and were doing their duty to safeguard the borders of our country. We should also honour widows and children of our brave soldiers who were martyred while serving in the armed forces. Helping the families of the martyred soldier is the responsibility of every citizen and the government of the day.

Various Initiatives by Government of India: Bharat Ke Veer and Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot

The Government of India showing its commitment towards the country's brave hearts has started several welfare measures such as 'Bharat Ke Veer' portal for the welfare of officers and jawans of Central Armed Police Forces. Recently, the government launched the 'Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot' website

(www.maabharatikesapoot.mod.gov.in) for contribution to the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund. The government has asked its citizens for generous contribution towards Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF), calling it the moral responsibility of all citizens to ensure the welfare of the soldiers and their families.

The government launched a new website (www.affdf.gov.in) for the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. This website is simple, interactive and user-friendly. The main purpose of this website is to encourage citizens to contribute generously to the fund.

Ex-servicemen, A New Partner in Nation Building

With large number of military personnel retiring at the age group of 35 to 40 years, the Government of India seeks the help of the private sector in giving employment opportunities to the ex-servicemen and their dependents.

The ex-servicemen are disciplined and capable of understanding the most complex technology as well as are at ease to use the modern-day technology, which make them easily employable at any department of the private sector. Further, the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare setup in 2004 formulates and implements various measures and policies for the welfare and resettlement of ex-servicemen in the country.

Welfare and Rehabilitation Schemes: Armed Forces Flag Day Fund

The administration of Armed Forces Flag Day Fund is the responsibility of Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB). The AFFDF is operated by a Managing Committee, which is headed by Defence Minister at the Centre and Governor or Lt. Governor at the State or Union Territory level.

The Kendriya Sainik Board is an apex body of the government and its main objectives include to formulate and operate various welfare and rehabilitation schemes for ex-servicemen and their dependents. These welfare and rehabilitation schemes are operated through a network of Rajya Sainik Boards and Zila Sainik Boards located throughout the country.

These welfare schemes are funded from Armed Forces Flag Day by merging of the following into one fund called as 'Armed Forces Flag Day Fund': Amalgamated Special Fund for war bereaved, war disabled and other ESM/serving personnel, Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, St. Dunstan's (India) and Kendriya Sainik Board Fund and Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen's Welfare Fund.

Remembering the Services of Army, Navy and Air Force Personnel

Our country has lost many soldiers who fought bravely while in the service of the country. Even the country lost many more while fighting the cross-border terrorism, which have left many families without any earning member. The Armed Forces Flag Day gives us the responsibility to help the disabled servicemen, widows and dependents of those who have laid down their lives for the country.

We observe the Armed Forces Flag Day in the remembrance of the services rendered by Army, Navy and Air Force personnel. Every citizen of our country is indebted to our brave martyrs and disabled personnel and we should give all the support needed to ensure their rehabilitation and welfare of the dependents.

Also, the Armed Forces Flag Day provides us an opportunity to get involved by contributing generously towards the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.