Let it’s flutter reach the sky
By Col Satish Singh Lalotra (Retd)
‘Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it; it flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it’—Anonymous.
The armed forces of any nation -state are the instruments of power projection and military reach of that particular country which defines the subtlety with which they go about accomplishing the task as set forth before them by their political masters. In other words they are part of a governance mechanism to achieve national aim by military means, when all else fails. In a democratic set up, the so called ‘Last bastion of democracy’. With such an organization that has within its realm the power to sustain the very idea of a nation-state on the anvil of countless sacrifices made by its personnel, its axiomatic to represent it’s very being by an equally charismatic symbol that holds within itself the power to galvanize the masses under its haloi.e ‘The Armed Forces Flag’. The importance of a typical symbol can’t be more true in a strictly hierarchy bound organization like armed forces which takes pride in its seniority and draws sustenance from exhibiting symbolism in all its hues; i.e armed forces flag . Even in the days of yore of Mahabharata and Ramayana, when symbolism mattered more one could see the ‘Standards’aka flags fluttering atop the chariots as pennants of opposing commanders of Kaurvas and Pandvas. Welcome to the ‘Armed Forces Flag Day’ of India that is rung with all the solemnity and dedication spanning the entire country of ours on 07 th December every year.
Though each country’s armed forces have their own ‘raison d etre’ for maintaining and celebrating a distinct ‘Armed forces flag day’ symbolizing unflinching faith and commitment towards their guardians of sovereignty and territorial integrity , in case of India the cause for the establishment of this solemn day arose only in the year 1949. Since the armed forces of India were an adjunct of British Indian army /navy /air force , it was only when the colonial masters left in 1947 and our own chief General ( later Field Marshal) KM Kariappa took over as the first Indian army chief in Jan 1949 that on August 28 th 1949 a committee was set up under the then defence minister Sardar Baldev Singh to observe a ‘Flag day’ annually on December 07. The idea behind observing the Flag Day was to distribute small flags to the general population and in turn collect donations. The seminal essence behind the observance of this solemn day being the responsibility of the countrymen to take care of the families and dependents of the armed forces personnel who fight for the country. The above sentiment was very ably carried forward by the first PM Mr Nehru a few years later on 07th December 1954 when he said.
‘A few weeks ago, I visited Indo-China and saw our officers and men attached to the international commission there. I t gave me a thrill to see their smart bearing and good work they were doing in that distant land. What pleased me still more was their general popularity with the people there. By their efficiency as well 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 am sure my countrymen will be pleased to learn of them and would like to indicate their appreciation of these young men who serve our country both here and elsewhere so well. A way to indicate that appreciation is to contribute to the Flag Day fund.’
The chief significance of Armed Forces Flag Day boils down to three significant causes-
* Rehabilitation of battle casualties
* Welfare of serving personnel and their families
* Resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen and their families.
On this day all three branches of the Indian armed forces , the IA, IAF & IN 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 India, 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 1949. In 1993, the Defence Ministry od India consolidated related welfare funds into a single armed forces flag day fund that included viz 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 and finally Indian Gorkha ex-servicemen’s welfare fund. The fund collection is managed throughout the country by the local arms of the KSB (Kendriya Sainik Board) , which is a part of MOD. This collection is organized both by official and non-official means through voluntary organisations. Though welfare of the ex-servicemen and their dependents is the joint responsibility of the Union Government and the Governments of the states and the UTs , majority of the problems have to be tackled by the states & UTs only. Like the Kendriya Sainik Board at the Centre, the Rajya/Zila Sainik Boards are responsible 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 assist the Central Government in this regard, there are various Rajya Sainik Boards and Zila Sainik Boards in the country.
The AFFD ( Armed Forces Flag Day Fund) is operated by a managing committee presided over by the Defence Minister at the centre and by the executive heads of the Governments in the States and the UTs. The world over, significance of the ‘Standard’ (flag) of a country , armed forces or any organization is underscored by the fact that very set guidelines are put in place for its display both during official and non-official functions. In the case of UK , the Armed Forces Flag Day is celebrated on the last Saturday of June every year, with a week of celebrations leading up to the auspicious day. The fact that a complete week (7 days) is dedicated to the armed forces flag day celebrations of England by that country goes to prove the high pedestal the Britons lay reverence on their armed forces . This year on 24th June 2024, the mayor of Solihull raised the Armed Forces Flag Day at the Royal British legion memorial in Shirley Park. The flag raising ceremony saw visitors and dignitaries watch the chairman of the Shirley royal British legion( RBL) and the mayor raise the armed forces day flag. It would be interesting to know for the readers of this article that till date the only prized possession of the imperial Chinese army the ‘Mantalai Flag’ was captured by the brave Dogra soldiers of 4 JAK RIF (state forces) in the famous battle of Taklakot on 30 the May 1841 under the brave generalship of General Zorawar Singh during his conquest of Tibet. It is the only Chinese army standard (Flag) in possession of Indian Army when the state forces of J&K merged with the Indian army after independence. The said flag /standard is safely displayed at ‘Bhopal museum’ in MP. The fact that the practice of celebrating AFFD every year on 07th December by India goes to prove our unqualified support and unwavering commitment to the cause of our armed forces personnel and their dependents in their hour of need. Sometimes it takes a national dignitary (read Nehru) to realize the importance of our armed forces Flag Day while visiting abroad as has been mentioned by me in 1954. Hope this Armed Forces Day, the spirit as imbibed way back in 1949 is maintained to the core.
(The writer is a retired Army Officer)
