Address by Governor at the launch of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund Raising Drive

Publish Date: January 19, 2017

Address by Shri Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra at the launch of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund Raising Drive organized by the Mumbai Suburban and Mumbai City Districts at Sahyadri State Guest House, Malabar Hill, Mumbai at 1100 hrs on Thursday, 19th January 2017

Air Vice Marshal M Fernandez, Air Officer Commanding, Headquarters, Maritime Air Operations, Maj Gen Anuj Mathur, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa Area, Rear Admiral Sanjay Mahindru, Flag Officer, Maharashtra Area, Shri Nitin Gadre, Principal Secretary, General Administration Department, Col Suhas Jatkar, Director, Sainik Welfare, Dr Ashwini Joshi, Collector, Mumbai City, Shri Deependra Singh Kushwah, Collector, Mumbai Suburban District, Smt M K Tata of P M Tata Trust, representatives of various government and non- governmental organizations, Principals of Schools and Colleges, bankers, officials, donors, ladies and gentlemen,

At the outset I express my sincere apologies to the organizers for the inconvenience caused to them because of the postponement of this programme of the Armed Forces Flag Day from December 7th to this date. The postponement was necessitated because of my additional responsibility as Governor of Tamil Nadu.

The Armed Forces Flag Day provides us an opportunity to express our appreciation to, and reaffirm our solidarity with, the members of the Armed Forces of India and their families.

This is my third consecutive year of attending the Flag Day function. And I am happy to know that year after year, many organizations, – government as well as private, – banks and other enterprises, schools and colleges and some individuals, come forward to make their contributions to the Flag Fund religiously.

I congratulate each one of you who contribute to the Flag Fund as part of your obligation and commitment.

I also convey my appreciation to every school student who goes house-to-house to raise funds for this noble cause. The amount that the children raise through their effort may not be significant. But their participation in this endeavour is more important.

The Armed Forces of India are recognized for their utmost discipline, dedication, proficiency, secularism and competence.

This year, our Armed Forces took the battle to the enemy territory and carried out what came to be known as ‘Surgical Strikes’. Of course, apart for defending our borders, our Armed Forces play equally significant role during natural and manmade calamities.

India has been the largest troop contributor to UN missions since inception. India’s Armed Forces are also playing critical role in peacekeeping, anti piracy and exploration missions. We are justly proud of our Armed Forces.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I do feel that the Armed Forces Flag day should be used to create awareness among schools and colleges about the exciting career opportunities available with the Armed Forces of India. Maharashtra has a glorious tradition of sending its sons and daughters to the Armed Forces for serving the nation. This tradition must be continued.

It pleases me immensely that the city of Mumbai has a lion’s share in raising funds for the ex-servicemen and their families.

I convey my warm appreciation to all the generous contributors to the Flag Fund and I do hope that their generosity will inspire others to contribute to the cause of rehabilitation of the ex servicemen and their families.

I congratulate the members of the Armed Forces, ex-servicemen and their families on this day and wish the Directorate of Sainik Welfare and all Sainik Kalyan officers success in their endeavours.

Thank you

Jai Hind Jai Maharashtra