India has been observing December 7 because the soldiers Flag Day since 1949 to honour those soldiers who valiantly fought on the borders to safeguard the country’s honour. The day is devoted towards the gathering of funds from people of India for the welfare of the Indian soldiers personnel. Over the years, it’s become a practice to commemorate today as an honour to the soldiers, sailors and airmen of India.
History of soldiers Flag Day
On August 28, 1949, the govt had found out a committee under the defence minister and had decided to watch a Flag Day annually on December 7. This came right after India had achieved independence and therefore the welfare of the defence personnel had to be taken care of. The soldiers Flag Day was basically observed to distribute small flags to the overall population and reciprocally collect donations. Flag Day gains more significance because it highlights the responsibility of Indians to require care and work for the families and people hooked in to our soldiers .
The government had constituted the soldiers Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) for the welfare and rehabilitation of the ex-servicemen (ESM) community. There are quite 32 lakh ESM and around 60,000 are added per annum thanks to superannuation.
Significance of soldiers Flag Day
The Flag Day may be a time for Indians to precise their gratitude and appreciation to the military personnel of India and to acknowledge those that died in commission to the country. The soldiers Flag Day is especially observed to serve three basic purposes
Rehabilitation of battle casualties
Welfare of serving personnel and their families
Resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen and their families
On the Flag Day , all three branches of the Indian soldiers – the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and therefore the Indian Navy, arrange a spread of shows, carnivals, dramas and other entertainment programmes to showcase to the overall public the efforts of their personnel to make sure national security. Small flags in red, deep blue and lightweight blue colours, representing the three services, are distributed reciprocally for donations.
Armed Forces Flag Day Fund
The original Flag Day Fund was found out in 1949, by the Defence Minister’s committee. In 1993, the Defence Ministry of India had consolidated related welfare funds into one soldiers Flag Day Fund. Those funds include
Amalgamated Special Fund for war bereaved, war disabled and other ex-servicemen/serving personnel
Flag Day Fund
St Dunstan’s (India) and Kendriya Sainik Board Fund
Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Fund
The fund collection is managed by the local arms of the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), which is a component of the Ministry of Defence. the gathering is organised both by official and non-official means through voluntary organisations. Though welfare of the ex-servicemen and therefore the ir dependents is that the joint responsibility of the Central government and the governments of States and Union Territories (UTs), majority of the issues need to be resolved only by the states and UTs.
Like the Kendriya Sainik Board at the centre, the Rajya/Zila Sainik Boards are liable for policy formulation and implementation of resettlement and welfare schemes for ex-servicemen, widows and their dependents residing in their respective states/UTs /districts. to help the Central Government during this regard, there are 32 Rajya Sainik Boards and 392 Zila Sainik Boards within the country.
The Secretary KSB advises the Department of Sainik Welfare within the States /UTs 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 the implementation of policies and success in resettling ex-servicemen, widows, disabled personnel invalidated out from the service and their dependents.
The Fund is operated by a Managing Committee presided over by the Defence Minister at the centre and by the chief heads of the governments within the states and union territories.
Armed Forces Flag Day: What the then PM Nehru had said on December 7, 1954
“A few weeks ago, I visited Indo-China and saw our officers and men attached to the International Commission there. It gave me a thrill to ascertain their smart bearing and therefore the good work they were doing therein distant land. What pleased me still more was their general popularity with the people there. By their efficiency also as their friendliness, they enhanced the reputation of India. Among them were people from all parts of India. They observed no provincial or other differences amongst themselves. i’m sure my countrymen are going to be pleased to find out of them and would really like to point their appreciation of those young men who serve our country both here et al. so well. how to point that appreciation is to contribute to the Flag Day Fund.”
December to be celebrated as ‘Gaurav Maah’: Rajnath on soldiers Flag Day
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on has said the Centre, states and union territories will celebrate the present month of December as “Gaurav Maah” (pride month) to honour the contributions of the soldiers and their veterans to the state . Singh has also appealed to people to contribute to a fund for the rehabilitation and welfare of next of kin of the soldiers who laid their lives within the line of duty or were rendered disabled.
This article taken reference from indiatvnews