New Delhi, Feb 07: In a unique gesture of solidarity with the armed forces, Defence Minister George Fernandes today handed over to the Flag Day fund a Rs 35,000 he had collected over the last two months.

On the last Armed Forces Flag Day (December 07), Fernandes had appealed to everyone visiting his office in the South Block here to contribute Rs 100 each and deposit the amount in a donation box placed there for the purpose. The total collections so far amounted to Rs 35,000 and these were handed over to Director General Resettlement (DGR) Major General V S Budhwar at a simple function earlier in the day today. The amount shall go towards the Armed Forces Flag Day fund which is utilised for a number of welfare programmes instituted by the 'Kendriya Sainik Board' at the Centre and the 'Rajya Sainik Boards' at the states-level. These programmes are for the benefit and empowerment of war-widows, disabled soldiers-sailors-airmen, and ex-servicemen and their dependants as also for serving personnel. Observed every on December 07 as a national event, the Armed Forces Flag Day affords the nation and its citizenry an opportunity to reinforce their solidarity with and express their gratitude and appreciation for its armed forces by contributing to the Armed Forces Flag Day fund. Bureau Report