Armed Forces Flag Day celebrated in India

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The Armed Forces Flag Day is observed on 7th of December every year to honour the martyrs and the Armed Forces personnel who safeguard the motherland. 

Important facts

• The day is dedicated towards collection of funds from people for the welfare of the Armed Forces personnel.

• The fund collected on this day is also used for the welfare of the serving personnel and ex-servicemen.

• The day also pays tribute to the thousands of men who have died defending the country.

• This day is observed to honour Indian soldiers, sailors, and pilots.

• The day also reminds the citizens to care for the living heroes who were either wounded in action or retired from service at a fairly young age.

Background of the day

• The Defense Minister's Committee on August 28, 1949, created the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.

• Hence, a committee was set up on August 28, 1949 that decided a Flag Day shall be celebrated annually on December 7. 

• The reason it was called a flag day was because small flags were distributed across the country among the general population which served two purposes – collection of welfare funds and creating a sense of camaraderie and harmony between the Army and citizens.