Omkar Dattatray
Armed Forces Flag Day is celebrated every year on December 7 and the day has a special importance for not only the defense /armed forces but for the countrymen as well .The day is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm .The Armed Forces Flag Day or the Flag Day of India is a day dedicated to honoring the soldiers and veterans of India’s armed forces .It has been observed annually in India on December 7 since 1949.Immediately after India achieved independence ,a need arose for the government to manage the welfare of its defense forces personnel .On August 28,1949 a committee set up under the defense minister decided to observe a Flag Day annually on December 7.The idea behind observing a Flag Day was to distribute small flags to 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 .The Flag of the Indian Armed Forces is similar to that of the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense ,first utilized in 1956,and is a common color scheme in British-aligned territories ,used by fellow Commonwealth nations including Cyprus ,Kenya and Nigeria .The Flag Day serves to promote three basic causes which are as follows -1-Rehabilitation of battle causalities 2-Welfare of serving personnel and their families and 3-Resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen and their families .On this important occasion funds are collected from the people through distribution of flags and the money so collected is used for the welfare of army and their families .It is the time for Indian’s to express its gratitude and appreciation to the current and veteran military personnel of India and to acknowledge those who died in service to the country .On the Flag Day all three branches of the Indian 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 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 .The original Flag Day Fund was set up in 1949,by the Defense Minister’s Committee .In 1993,the Defense Minister of India consolidated related welfare funds into single Armed Forces Flag Day fund .Those funds include-Amalgamated Special Fund for War Bereaved ,War Disabled and other ex-servicemen /serving personnel.2 Flag Day Fund 3-St Dunstan’s -India and Kendriya Sainik Board Fund. 4-Indian Gorkha EX -Servicemen’s Welfare Fund .The fund collection is managed by the local arms of the Kendriya Sainik Board -KSB ,which is part of the Ministry of Defense .The collection is organized both by official and non-official means through voluntary organizations .Though welfare of the ex-servicemen and their dependents is the responsibility of the union government ,and the governments of states and UT’s ,majority of the problems have to be resolved only by the states and UT’s .Like the Kendriya Sainik Board at the centre ,the Rajya /Zila Sainik Boards are responsible for policy formulation and implementation of resettlement and welfare schemes for ex-servicemen ,widows and their dependents residing in their respective states/UT’s /Districts .To assist the central government in this regard ,there are 32 Rajya Sainik Boards and 392 Zila Sainik Boards in the country .The Secretary KSB advises the Department of Sainik welfare in the states/UT’s on the policies for resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen ,widows and seeks reports from the Director, Department Sainik Welfare /Secretary RSB and Zila Sainik welfare officer/Secretary ZSB ,on implementation of policies and success in resettling ex-servicemen ,widows ,disabled personnel invalidated out from the Service and their departments .Advise is also rendered on the welfare schemes required for the clientele ,which are financed from funds allotted by the governments of states/UT’s and the Amalgamated Special funds .The Fund is operated by a Managing Committee presided over by the Defense Minister at the centre and by the executive heads of the governments in states and UT’s .When the Armed Forces Flag Day programme was introduced ,the fund collection was managed in such a way that the Central KSB headquarters is given only a very small share of the Flag Day Fund collections made by each state .The allotted funds for KSB is only half a paisa per individual in the state .The primary objective of Armed Forces Flag Day is to honor the sacrifices and dedication of the Indian Armed Forces Personnel .The objective is also to generate funds for the welfare of families of martyrs ,ex-servicemen ,and disabled soldiers .Objective also includes to foster a sense of responsibility among citizens to support their defenders .Armed Forces Flag Day is all about paying tribute to the members of the armed forces ,including the Army ,Navy, and Air Force ,who selflessly dedicated their lives to safeguarding the country’s freedom and peace and so protect its borders .A horizontal tricolor of red ,navy blue and sky blue represent the army ,navy and air forces of India .As already pointed above since 1949,7th December is observed as the Armed Forces Flag Day throughout the country to honor the martyrs and the men in uniform who valiantly fought and continue to fight on our boarders to safeguard the country’s honor .Soldiers are one of the greatest assets of any country .They are the guardians of the nation and protect its citizens at all costs .To fulfill their duties ,soldiers have sacrificed a lot of things in their lives .The country is forever indebted to these gallant heroes who lay down their lives in the service towards the motherland .It is our duty to not only show our admiration for the martyrs and the living heroes who were wounded while doing their duties but also their families who have been a crucial part of this sacrifice .Apart from government measures at the Centre and state level ,it is the collective duty of every citizen of our country to make his/her unstinted and voluntary contribution towards providing care, support, rehabilitation and financial aid .Flag Day brings to the forefront our commitment of looking after our war disabled soldiers ,Veer Naris and the families of Martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the country .The citizens should contribute generously for the welfare of the soldiers ,their families ,widows, Veer Naris and disabled soldiers as well as for their resettlement and rehabilitation .Let us join hands to celebrate the auspicious occasion with dedication so that welfare of the soldiers ,their families and widows is ensured .All of us should contribute for making the Armed Forces Flag Day a success as we are indebted towards the armed forces and should try to repay the debt by contributing towards Armed Forces Flag Day .Jai Hind,Jai Jawan.
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist)
