Quoting a soldier’s message enshrined on the Kohima War Memorial in Nagaland; ‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today’, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that it is the moral responsibility of every citizen to ensure the welfare of the soldiers and their families.
He therefore appealed to the nation to contribute generously to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund while addressing the Armed Forces Flag Day CSR Conclave, organised by Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, on Tuesday in New Delhi.
The Union minister expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces personnel, retired as well as serving, whose valour and sacrifice has safeguarded the sovereignty and integrity of the country.
“It is because of our brave soldiers, who are always alert at the borders, we sleep peacefully and live our lives without fear,” he said.
Singh also threw light on the fact that a large number of military personnel retire at the age of 35 to 40 years so that the youthful profile of the Armed forces is maintained. He described this as another reason for the people to extend all possible help to the ex-servicemen and their dependents, the statement from Ministry of Defence said.
He urged the private sector to provide employment opportunities to about 60,000 soldiers who retire at a very young age every year, saying that these disciplined ex-servicemen are capable of understanding the most complex technology and using it proficiently.
“…the welfare of soldiers, who ensure our national security, should not be the responsibility of only the government, but it should be the duty of all,” Singh added.
“The Government does not consider the ex-servicemen as a liability, but we see them as valuable assets, who are not only disciplined and an inspiration to society, but also equally effective as a workforce. By including them, the private companies can increase their productivity and help these ex-servicemen lead a dignified life,” said Rajnath Singh.
The Ministry said that Union Minister launched a new website for the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (www.affdf.gov.in) on the occasion and that the portal is an interactive and user-friendly portal developed to promote online contribution to the fund.
The anthem for this year’s promotional campaign for the Armed Forces Flag Day was also released.
The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare use the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund for the welfare and rehabilitation of war widows, wards of martyred soldiers and Ex-Servicemen, including disabled ones. The assistance includes providing financial assistance for their identified personal needs such as penury grant, children’s education grant, funeral grant, medical grant and orphan/disabled children grant.
