Vijayawada, December 9: Andhra Pradesh Governor Sri Biswabhusan Harichandan has presided over the Armed Forces Flag Day celebrations at a programme held at Raj Bhavan here on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Governor Sri Harichandan has said that the Indian Armed Forces hold a special place in the hearts of all Indians and the Armed Forces Flag Day is one such special occasion to salute their valour, devotion to duty and professionalism of the highest order, against the external and the internal threats. The Governor said that the Armed Forces personnel fought many wars thrust on us by our adversaries and made supreme sacrifice at the altar of duty. He said that they not only protect our frontiers but also in difficult situations like internal disturbances, natural calamities etc. by coming to our rescue and the nation owes a debt of gratitude to them. He appealed to the people to come forward and donate liberally to the Armed Forces Flag Day fund, which will be utilized for the needs the Ex-Service personnel and their families.
On the occasion, Governor Sri Harichandan felicitated Veer Naris Smt. D. Ishwarya wife of Lance Naik Late K. Devendran of Chittoor district, Smt. V. Lakshmi wife of Naik Late Ramarao of Srikakulam district, Smt. P. Satyakala wife of Sepoy Late Ch. Ramakrishna of East Godavari district, Smt. B. Mamatha wife of Sowar Late D. Kiran Kumar Reddy. The Governor also felicitated Battle Disabled Soldiers Naik Subhan Sheik, Sepoy L. Balaji and Gallantry Award Winner Sepoy Anjaneyulu Dodda and II World War Veteran N/ORD N. Nagabhushanam, with a Memento and a cash grant of Rs.25,000 each.
The Governor has also felicitated Sri V. Prasanna Venkatesh, Collector, Eluru district, Smt. P. Prasanthi, Collector West Godavari district and Sri KVS Prasada Rao, Zilla Sainik Welfare Officer,Eluru & West Godavari districts for achieving highest collection for Armed Forced Flag Day Fund in 2021. He also presented Certificates of appreciation to officials of Sainik Welfare Department in recognition of their dedicated services for the welfare of Ex-Service personnel and dependents. Earlier, Governor Sri Harichandan handed over a cheque of Rs. 1 lakh towards contribution to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. The Officers and Staff Members of Andhra Pradesh Raj Bhavan have also come forward to donate to the Flag Day Fund. Inspired by the appeal made by the Governor, Sri V. Prasanna Venkatesh, Collector, Eluru District, Sri Chalasani Babu Rajendra Prasad, Sri Bhogeswara Rao, donated Rs. 1 lakh each to the Armed Forced Flag Day Fund.
Smt. Taneti Vanitha, Minister of Home, Disaster Management and Sainik Welfare, Lt. Gen. K.G. Krishna (Retd.) PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Sri R.P. Sisodia, Special Chief Secretary to Governor, Sri Harish Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary, Home Department, Brig. V. Venkata Reddy (Retd.) VSM, Director of Sainik Welfare, several serving and retired defence personnel, have attended the programme.
