Armed Forces Flag Day

Why is in news? PM salutes armed forces on Armed Forces Flag Day

The Armed Forces Flag Day or the Flag Day of India is a day dedicated to honouring the soldiers and veterans of India's armed forces.

It has been observed annually in India on December 7 since 1949.

On August 28, 1949, a committee set up under the defence minister decided to observe a Flag Day annually on December 7.

The idea behind observing a Flag Day was to distribute small flags to the general population and in return collect donations.

Apart from Government measures at the Centre and the 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.

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.

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 colours representing the three Services are distributed in return for donations.

The original Flag Day Fund was set up in 1949, by the Defence Minister's Committee. In 1993, the Defence Ministry of India consolidated related welfare funds into a single Armed Forces Flag Day fund.

The fund collection is managed throughout the country by the local arms of the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), which is part of the Ministry of Defence. The collection is organised both by official and non-official means through voluntary organisations.

Flag Day serves to promote three basic causes:

Rehabilitation of battle casualties

Welfare of serving personnel and their families

Resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen and their families