Armed Forces Flag Day 2018: Armed Forces Flag Week being observed; PayTM, UPI and other ways to donate

Since 1949, December 7 is observed as Armed Forces Flag Day throughout India to honour the martyrs as well as men and women in uniform, who valiantly fight on our borders to safeguard the country’s honour. It is an important occasion to remind the nation of its obligation to look after veterans, disabled soldiers, war widows and dependents of those who have sacrificed their lives for the safety, honour and Integrity of the motherland.

The ‘Armed forces Flag Day Fund’ (AFFDF) has been constituted by the Government of India for the welfare and rehabilitation of the Ex-Servicemen (ESM) community. There are more than 30 lakh ESM Including 6.5 Iakh widows, and around 60,000 ESM are added every year due to early superannuation. Contributions received from prospective donors of AFFDF are utilised to provide basic sustenance needs of the ESM community through a medium of welfare schemes.

The campaign aims to generate awareness about the ‘Armed Forces Flag Day Fund’ and encourage people to contribute generously. Several cashless payment methods have been set up and made available. You can send your contributions via PayTM number ‘8800462175’ and UPI code: armedforcesflagdayfund@sbi –To contribute using Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking log on to ksb.gov.in/armed-forces-flag-day-fund.htm

Information and Broadcasting Minister Col Rajyavardhan Rathore has urged people to donate to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund and stand by the families of the martyrs. In a tweet, Mr Rathore said, today marks the beginning of the Armed Forces Week 2018. He called upon people to solemnly remember the sacrifices of the martyrs and their families – a debt the nation and its people can never repay.