The University Grant Commission (UGC) has asked all universities to observe Armed Forces Flag Day which falls on December 7 in commemoration of the supreme sacrifices made by armed forces personnel in the line of their duty.

The commission in a letter to the institutions has 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.

The commission urged them to observe the day by arranging functions/talks for the students in their colleges or institutes to generate awareness.

The celebration of Armed Forces Flag Day also includes efforts to compliment the on-ground efforts to mobilize public contribution to the armed forces flag day fund.

There will be a wide digital campaign spread across Twitter Facebook etc this year from December 1-7, encouraging people to wear the armed forces flag with pride to show their support and solidarity with the military. The campaign aims to increase contributions to the fund that will be used to support disabled ex-servicemen, war widows, children of martyrs and other such beneficiaries. The public will also be able to contribute to the fund using a UPI code.

During her first day in-charge as Defence Minister, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman had said that the welfare of ex-servicemen was one of her top priorities.