Opinion | Armed Forces Flag Day: Honouring Sacrifices and Strengthening Unity in Kashmir.

It is worth mentioning here that the armed forces residing in Kashmir, fighting terrorism, have faced numerous challenges and consistently remained heroes. The army is highly regarded by the common people in the Kashmir valley. They are treated as special individuals in Kashmir, and their relationship with the people is strong and praiseworthy. It has been observed that during periods of unrest, the army is the only entity given respect and is not targeted even in instances of significant violence.

The celebration of Armed Forces Flag Day is aimed at increasing respect for defence personnel. It is observed every year on the 7th of December to collect funds from people across the country for the well-being of the staff of the Indian Armed Forces. First celebrated in India on the 7th of December in 1949, it has since become a ritual to commemorate this day in great honour of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen of India. The day is enthusiastically celebrated throughout the country, intending to pay tribute to courageous and martyred soldiers, salute expert soldiers, and foster harmony among citizens.
It is worth mentioning here that the armed forces residing in Kashmir, fighting terrorism, have faced numerous challenges and consistently remained heroes. The army is highly regarded by the common people in the Kashmir valley. They are treated as special individuals in Kashmir, and their relationship with the people is strong and praiseworthy. It has been observed that during periods of unrest, the army is the only entity given respect and is not targeted even in instances of significant violence.
Armed Forces Flag Day is also known as Flag Day in India and was celebrated on Saturday, the 7th of December, in 2019. The day was celebrated with zeal and zest across the country to commemorate the sacrifices and bravery of the brave soldiers of the armed forces during war and peacetime. The University Grants Commission (UGC) notified all universities across the country to observe the day and pay tribute to the soldiers who safeguard our borders and those who sacrificed their lives in the course.
People across the nation contributed wholeheartedly to the ‘Indian Armed Forces Fund’ and wore the Armed Forces Flag on the occasion. The Prakasam District in Andhra Pradesh bagged the Flag Day award for the highest contribution made to the ‘Indian Armed Forces Fund’ for the third year in a row. The district collected Rs. 12,66,381 this year from the people of the district. The Home Minister of the state recognized the big heart of the public of Prakasam district by presenting an award to the district’s Sainik Welfare Department.
This event celebration is named as Armed Forces Flag Day as this day aimed to collect fund from the people throughout the India just by selling the Indian special colorful flags, labels and stickers. Now it has become a prestigious annual celebration in India for the well-being of the National life, providing rehabilitation to the battle victims, well-being of helping personnel of Armed Forces and their families as well as the resettlement and welfare of the ex-servicemen personnel and their families.
The personnel serving in the Navy, Army and Air Force of India never think about their lives while protecting the country. Many lives of the Indian army personnel had lost all through the Chinese violence of the year 1962, Indo-Pak Conflict of the year 1965 and 1971, Kargil War of the year 1998 and many more. Many homes of the India had left broken during these wars, number of serving personnel became disabled, handicapped. So, this Flag Day celebration in India bring a lot of hope in the lives of those victims who had sacrificed their precious lives for the better tomorrow of the country.
The Armed Forces Flag Day celebration strengthens the cultural bond among the people of India and the staffs of armed forces. This celebration plays a great role in enhancing the welfare of the serving personnel of Indian armed forces.
Historical Perspective: The First World War, celebrated annually as Armistice Day on the 11th of November, earned the name Poppy Day because souvenirs of poppies were utilized to benefit ex-army men and their relatives. However, this day proved incompatible for the freedom of the country. After gaining independence from British authority, the Indian Government decided to focus on the welfare of army personnel and their relatives. On the special commission of August 28th, 1949, the Ministry of Defence decided to celebrate Flag Day annually on the 7th of December to collect funds from the general public by selling Indian flags for the well-being of the staff of the armed forces.
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