New Delhi: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged the common people to show support for the armed forces' personnel by wearing their flag during the #ArmedForcesWeek2018 being celebrated from December 1 to December 7.

In this regard, the defence ministry has also created the 'Armed Forces Flag Day Fund' (AFFDF) for the welfare and rehabilitation of the ex-servicemen (ESM) community.

The aim of the campaign is to generate awareness about the fund and encourage people to contribute generously.

Several cashless payment methods have been set up and made available to the common man. You can send your contributions via PayTM number '8800462175' and UPI code: armedforcesflagdayfund@sbi. To contribute using credit or debit card or net banking, log on to this website.

The call for showing support for the armed forces has received a strong backing from eminent personalities including Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar who urged people to contribute generously for the welfare of the ex-servicemen and families of martyrs.

There are more than 30 lakh ex-servicemen, and around 60,000 ex-servicemen are added every year due to early superannuation. 

Contributions received from prospective donors of AFFDF are utilised to provide for the basic sustenance needs of the ESM community through a medium of welfare schemes.

Since 1949, December 7 is observed as Armed Forces Flag Day throughout India to honour the martyrs as well as men and women in uniform, who valiantly fight on our borders to safeguard the country's honour.