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- Government of Meghalaya
Armed Forces Flag Day is observed annually on 7 December to honour the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of the personnel of the Army, Navy, and Air Force who have served and continue to serve the nation with distinction. The day also recognizes the sacrifices made by martyrs, disabled veterans, and the families of those who have laid down their lives in the service of the country.
The observance of Armed Forces Flag Day serves to create public awareness of the welfare needs of Ex-Servicemen (ESM), war widows, disabled veterans, and their dependants. It also provides an opportunity for citizens to contribute voluntarily to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF), which supports various welfare, rehabilitation, medical, educational, and financial assistance schemes administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board.
To mark the occasion, awareness campaigns, public outreach programmes, and Flag Day collection drives are organized across the country. Token flags and car stickers representing the three Services are distributed to the public to encourage participation and support for the welfare of the Armed Forces community.
Government initiatives at the Central and State levels alone are insufficient to meet the welfare needs of disabled, non-pensioner, aged, and infirm Ex-Servicemen (ESM), as well as their families, war widows, and orphaned children. It is, therefore, the collective responsibility of every citizen to make voluntary contributions towards their care, rehabilitation, welfare, and financial assistance. The welfare schemes supported through these collective contributions are outlined in the succeeding paragraphs.
The Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) is responsible for the administration of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF). The Fund is managed by a Managing Committee headed by the Hon'ble Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) at the Central level and by the Hon'ble Governor/Lieutenant Governor at the State/Union Territory level. The Committee also comprises the three Service Chiefs, the Defence Secretary, the Secretary, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, and other senior officials of the Government of India.
As the apex body of the Government of India for the welfare and rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen (ESM), the Kendriya Sainik Board formulates and implements various welfare and rehabilitation schemes through a nationwide network of 32 Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs) and 385 Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs) located in the State Capitals and District Headquarters, respectively. These schemes include financial assistance to needy Ex-Servicemen and their families, medical assistance for treatment and rehabilitation, educational support for the children and dependants of Ex-Servicemen, and measures for the rehabilitation and resettlement of Ex-Servicemen, war widows, and disabled veterans.
These welfare initiatives are financed through the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF), which was constituted under the Government of India Gazette Notification No. 5(1)/92/US(WE)/D(Res) dated 13 April 1993.
The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) provides an opportunity for individuals, organisations, institutions, and corporate bodies to voluntarily contribute towards the welfare of the Armed Forces community. In the State of Meghalaya, contributions to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund may also be made directly through the details provided in the link below. All contributions received for the State shall be utilised exclusively for extending financial assistance to deserving Ex-Servicemen (ESM), war widows, and their dependants, as well as for supporting institutions engaged in their welfare, rehabilitation, and resettlement within the State of Meghalaya. Members of the public are encouraged to contribute generously in recognition of the invaluable service and sacrifices made by the Armed Forces personnel in safeguarding the nation.
For contribution towards Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. Click here