President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday got army flags pinned on them by officers of the Kendriya Sainik Board on Armed Forces Flag Day, officials said.

In a tweet, the office of the President of India said: “Brig M. Haider Rizvi, Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, pinning a flag on #PresidentKovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day.”

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The Vice President tweeted: “Delegation of Armed Forces pinning Token Flag Day Lapel Pin & Armed Forces Flag Day Flag on the occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi today.”

The Armed Forces Flag Day is observed on December 7 every year since 1949, and is a day dedicated towards collection of funds from people for the welfare of the Indian armed forces personnel.

The day is also observed to raise funds for the well-being of serving jawans, as well as the disabled comrades-in-arms and widows and dependents of those who have made the supreme sacrifice, the leaders urged all citizens to donate generously for the jawans’ welfare.

Over the years, it has become a tradition to commemorate this day as an honour to the soldiers, airmen and sailors of India.

This year, from December 1 to 7, a wide digital campaign was spread across Twitter, Facebook and other social networking websites, encouraging people to wear the armed forces flag with pride to show their support and express solidarity with the military.