Mark Armed Forces Flag Day on Dec 7: UGC to universities

SOURCES SAID THE DEFENCE MINISTRY WANTS TO OBSERVE THE DAY IN A BIG WAY AND HAS ASKED THE UGC TO ENSURE IT WAS DONE

NEWDELHI:The University Grants Commission (UGC) Monday asked universities in the country to observe the Armed Forces Flag Day on December 7 to commemorate the “supreme sacrifices” made by the armed forces personnel during conflicts.

In a letter sent to the heads of institutions, the commission asked them to observe the day for the “supreme sacrifices made by our valiant Armed Forces personnel for protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country and securing our lives against the threats of insurgency and terrorism” and against natural calamities.

For this purpose, “the universities are requested to arrange functions/ talks for the students in their colleges or institutes to generate awareness”, it urged. In campaign mode in a big way

Sources said the defence ministry wants to observe the day in a big way and has asked the UGC to observe the day. “Till now, there has never been a large scale digital/social media campaign for AFFD to compliment the on-ground efforts to mobilise public contribution to the forces flag day fund,” said a source.

This year, from December 1 to 7, there will be a wide digital campaign on social media encouraging people to wear the armed forces flag to show support and solidarity with the military. The campaign aims to increase contribution to the fund that will be used to support disabled ex-servicemen, war widows, children of martyrs and other such beneficiaries.

“This campaign falls under one of Nirmala Sitharaman’s main priorities of ensuring the welfare of ex-servicemen that she iterated during her first day in charge as the Raksha Mantri.”