Armed Forces Flag Day is annually observed across India on December 7 to honour the martyrs, men and women in the armed forces who bravely fought on the borders to safeguard the country’s honour.
Flag Day emphasises the dedication to caring for the war-disabled soldiers, Veer Naris and the families of Martyrs who died in the line of duty.
Background:
i. On 28th August 1949, a committee established by then-Defence Minister Baldev Singh decided to observe December 7 of every year as Flag Day.
ii. The 1st Armed Forces Flag Day was observed on 7th December 1949.
Key points:
i. The idea behind Armed Forces Flag Day was to collect funds from people by distributing flags.
ii.The Kendriya Sainik Board distributes token flags and car stickers in red, light blue, and dark blue that represents the 3 branches of the Indian Armed Forces: Army, Air Force, and Navy.
iii. Volunteers collect funds throughout the celebrations by selling stickers, coupon flags, and other mementoes.
About the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF):
i. Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) was instituted in 1993 and administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB).
ii. It was set in motion by the following amalgamation into a single fund known as the ‘Armed Forces Flag Day Fund’.
- Amalgamated Special Fund for war bereaved, war disabled and other ESM/serving personnel
- Armed Forces Flag Day Fund
- Dunstan’s (India) and Kendriya Sainik Board Fund
- Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Fund.
iii. It is used to run many welfare schemes for Ex-Servicemen, War widows and their Dependents.
Income Tax Exemption:
Contribution to Armed Forces Flag Day Fund is exempted from Incom Tax under section 80 G (5) (vi) of the Income Tax Act 1961.
Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB):
Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), an apex body of the Government of India, formulates various welfare schemes for Ex-Servicemen (ESM) and their dependents through a network of Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs) and Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs) co-located in the State Capitals and District Headquarters respectively,
About the Indian Army:
Chief of the Army Staff – General Manoj Pande
Motto- Sevā Paramo Dharmaḥ (Service Before Self)
