Armed Forces Flag Day, Every Citizen Has a duty towards the Veterans
Dated : 07 Dec 2020 (IST)
Each year around 60,000 Defence personnel are compulsorily retired, to keep the armed forces young. This is a National requirement for defence of the motherland. Their right to work till 60 years like other government servants thus needs to be protected by other means and not by extending their service period in the military.
They are released between 35-40 years of age at the peak of their physical fitness and family responsibility. Therefore, caring for these ex-soldiers and their families is a national responsibility.
Till the time the Government formulates a policy for seamless lateral transfer into other Government Services and Public Sector Undertakings, the rest of the countrymen must pitch in.
Throughout the country, December 7th every year is observed as the Armed Forces Flag Day, to honour the men in uniform.
This started from 1949, to honour our armed forces who been fighting valiantly to protect the country from the enemies at the border and hinterland. This is for the men in uniform who during various wars and fight against the ongoing cross-border terrorism and insurgency, have lost their lives and leaving quite a few disabled. The trauma that the family suffers not only when their head of the family is either killed or disabled is very difficult to understand.
The funds collected on the Armed Forces Flag Day, helps in the rehabilitation of the families and the disabled soldier so that they lead their life of dignity.
Also, the money collected is used for providing help to the Ex- servicemen who are battling serious health issues including Heart Ailments, Cancer, and Joint Replacement, etc.
The government at the Centre and state level extend various types of help but an all encompassing holistic solution is still missing. However, it is also the duty of every citizen of the country to make contribution for providing medical care, rehabilitation, financial aid and support.
Through the Gazette of India notification No 5(1) 92/US(WE)/D(Res) dated 13 Apr 1993, Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) was instituted. For the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, several rehabilitation and welfare schemes for Ex Servicemen (ESM) and their dependents are run.
Any contributions made to Armed Forces Flag Day Fund are exempted from Income Tax. Also, the Corporate contributions to Armed Forces Flag Day Fund are eligible for fulfilling the CSR obligation under section 135 of Companies Act, 2013.
