Every citizen should support soldiers’ families: Collector

PNS|Vijayawada

NTR District Collector Dr S Dilli Rao has stressed the need for every citizen to give support to the families of soldiers, who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the country. “The entire nation will be proud of the daring and courage of the soldiers,” he said.

The Armed Forces Flag Day was observed at the collector’s camp office in Vijayawada on Wednesday. Collector Dilli Rao received the flag from District Sainik Welfare Officer Surgeon Lieutenant commander K Kalyana Veena and donated funds to the ‘Armed Forces Flag Fund’. Later, he paid homage to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.

Speaking on the occasion, the Collector said that Armed Forces Flag Day had been observed since 1949 every year on December 9. During wars between Pakistan and India, China and India, several soldiers died after fighting courageously, he recalled.

“Because of soldiers, every Indian citizen is living freely. We are indebted to every soldier. By conducting the Flag Day we will have an opportunity for debt repayment,” Dilli Rao said.He appealed to the people to give support to the families of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country by donating funds. Every citizen should come forward to give donations voluntarily, he added. District Sainik Welfare Officer Lieutenant commander Kalyana Veena said that these donations would be used for the treatment of former soldiers who are suffering from chronic diseases.

Vijayawada City-based industrialist Sagi Krishnam Raju donated Rs.3 lakh, Canara Bank Regional Office Rs.1 lakh, Paruchuri Venkata Krishna Rao Rs.50,000, and retired principal Y Kali Vara Prasad donated Rs.25,000. They handed over the cheques to the Collector.

The Armed Forces Flag Day was also observed at the collector’s residence in Machilipatnam in the Krishna district. Collector P Ranjith Basha received the flag from District Sainik Welfare Officer Surgeon Lieutenant Commander K Kalyana Veena and donated an amount to the Armed Forces Flag Fund.