Vijay Diwas and Flag Day Sainya Sandesh Dec 2020

Vijay Diwas and Flag Day Sainya Sandesh Dec 2020

Vijay Diwas and Flag Day Sainya Sandesh Dec 2020

          December has two major events, concerning the armed forces. The first is the ‘Armed Forces Flag Day’ which falls on 07 Dec and the second is ‘Vijay Diwas’ which is on 16^th Dec. The armed forces flag day in a digitised world has lost much of its significance and fails to involve society at large. Vijay Diwas, except in a few locations, is marked by wreath laying by the armed forces in their cantonments. The national public is never involved in commemorating sacrifices of members of the armed forces in various operations in our post-Independence history.

There is no significant or historical reason why 07 Dec was selected as the Armed Forces Flag Day. As per details available, the government felt that it needed to take measures to manage welfare of defence personnel, serving and veterans. A committee met under the defence minister on 28^th Aug 1949 and decided to observe a flag day on 07 Dec every year.

          Originally flag day was celebrated by the armed forces organizing events including band and equipment displays as also performances by its personnel for the public. Road crossings would have NCC cadets in uniform holding small boxes in which passing motorists would drop donations and in return would have a flag pinned on their dress. In Delhi, a similar pinning of the flag would done to the President and Prime Minister, while in states to the Governor and the Chief Minister. While the tradition of armed forces organized events and the participation of NCC cadets has ended, the pinning of the flag on central and state dignitaries continues.

          Vijay Diwas on the other hand marks victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, when Lt Gen AAK Niazi along with 93,000 prisoners surrendered to the Indian and Bangladeshi forces. It was the largest surrender post the second world war and led to the creation of Bangladesh. It is celebrated jointly by India and Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s Mukti Bahini war veterans and their families visit India and partake in the celebrations, recollecting the war and meeting Indian comrades. Similarly, Indian war veterans visit Bangladesh during the same period.

          When the flag day was selected in 1949, India had only been involved with the Kashmir invasion by Pakistan. Since then immense water has flowed under the bridge. The armed forces have fought multiple wars, gained victory and even liberated a nation. Of all the wars fought, the 1971 war has the greatest significance as it was India’s greatest victory. The national public need to be reminded of this day every year as it marks a turning point in the history of the region.

Since both, the Armed Forces Flag Day and Vijay Diwas fall in the same month, it would make sense if both are conducted together. Combining both on Vijay Diwas will enable the national public to associate the date with a specific event, the greatest victory of the Indian armed forces. Since the event is celebrated across the country, the public would link the event and the occasion, hence would lead to better participation at the national level.

The current manner of conduct is also not conducive for such an occasion. The public is requested for contributions through every form of social media as also through advertisements in print and electronic media. The public is informed that their donation would be used for the welfare of serving and veteran soldiers. There is no direct interaction between the public and the members of the armed forces, serving and veterans.

The funds collected on flag day are employed for three principal tasks. Firstly, rehabilitation of families of battle casualties, secondly, welfare for serving personnel and finally for resettlement and well-being of ex-servicemen, including battle casualties. In addition to armed forces flag day, there is always an option for those seeking to donate for the welfare of armed forces to deposit funds either into the National Defence Fund or the Indian Army Welfare Fund.

Further, to spread awareness amongst the public, on Vijay Diwas, all educational institutions could be instructed to invite serving or veterans to address the students on the role of the armed forces in peace and war. Veterans of operations could be asked to share their experiences. This, apart from motivating the youth to join the armed forces, could also act as a platform for donations for the flag day. The public should also be encouraged to attend formal wreath laying organized by the forces in respective stations. Public participation on such occasions must be encouraged.

Similarly, this should be the day when the army welcomes the public by organizing ‘know your army’ mela’s in every cantonment. It could also organize band displays in different locations of the city to enhance the awareness of the public. The logic behind the above is that in the country, like most nations, there is one day in a year dedicated to martyrs and members of the armed forces. This would be the day when their families are publicly felicitated. It should be a day when the nation remembers the armed forces for its sacrifices. Presently, India has no such date.

Celebrating of war victories and paying homage to martyrs by the armed forces themselves, as is being done on Vijay Diwas currently, implies nothing. It would mean far more when the nation joins in such events. Seeking donations on armed forces flag day as a stand-alone date, without any special significance is also meaningless. Combining both on the day when India humbled Pak and granted freedom to Bangladesh would enhance its importance and also involve the nation at large. Changing the manner of its conduct would bring solidarity of the common public with the armed forces.