SBI contributes Rs. 10 crores to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund

• Bank to sign an MoU with the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) to support the education of the children of the armed forces
• Bank will provide a grant of Rs. 1000 per month to 8333 war veterans’ children

Mumbai – December 06, 2021: The country's largest lender, State Bank of India, has contributed Rs. 10 crores to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund in its efforts to support and enable the armed forces of the country. On the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day celebrated on December 07, SBI has reinforced its constant support to the armed forces by contributing toward children's education. As a part of the bank’s philanthropic responsibilities, SBI will sign an MoU with Kendriya Sainik Board to support and educate the children of war veterans, ex-servicemen, and war widows.
 
Dinesh Khara, Chairman, SBI, said, “At SBI, we are strongly committed to an inclusive growth, building communities and aligning with the national priorities. Our contribution to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, is a humble gesture to support the welfare of the armed forces. We express our gratitude to soldiers who valiantly safeguard our nation and protect its citizens despite facing enormous hardships. We believe our efforts will help make a difference in the lives of the war veterans and their families. SBI has always been at the forefront when it comes to supporting national causes and will continue to do so.”
 
Last year also, SBI had contributed Rs. 10 crores to Armed Forces Flag Day Fund towards education of girl children of Armed Forces Veterans. Donation was done as a part of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” initiative launched by the GOI. Punjab National Bank contributes Rs 11 Lakh to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund:Punjab National Bank (PNB), one of India’s leading public sector banks, today announced a contribution of Rs 11 lakh towards the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) to honour the ex-servicemen belonging to the country’s three defence wings. The contribution is to commemorate and express gratitude for the services rendered by Army, Navy, Air Force personnel and to provide care, support, rehabilitation and financial aid for war-widows and children of the brave hearts who have laid down their lives and made sacrifices for the country, in the line of duty.
 
The Cheque for contribution was symbolically handed over to Air Commodore B. Ahulwalia- VSM & Secretary Kendriya Sainik Board, by Sunil Soni, Chief General Manager, PNB and Samir Bajpai, Zonal Head, ZO Delhi, PNB.

Since 1949, December 7 has been observed as the Armed Forces Flag Day throughout the country to honour the martyrs and the men in uniform who valiantly fought on our borders to safeguard the country. The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) is utilised for extending various welfare schemes to about 37 lakh ex-servicemen/veterans, veer naris, and their dependents through 32 Rajya Sainik Boards of states and 403 district Sainik Boards, under the auspices of the Kendriya Sainik Board.

This time round, Armed Forces Flag Day is commemorated by celebrating the entire month as ‘GOURAV MAAH’ (Pride Month).

The Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, that functions under the Ministry of Defence, is a 111-year-old institution. The welfare of ex-servicemen, war widows, battle casualties and orphaned/dependent children is accomplished by KSB through schemes funded from contributions made by esteemed donors to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. In the financial year 2020-21, an amount to the tune of Rs 133 crore was disbursed under various schemes to 38,000 ESM/dependents.

The ceremony was graced by KSB members: Col KS Uppal; Capt (IN) Shikhar Chandra; Capt (IN) MK Agarwal; GP Capt J Singh; Lt Col Kamal Bhatt; Rakesh Gulati, IDAS, JD (Accounts).

On this occasion Major General Raj Sinha, Chief Defence Banking Advisor HO; G K Agarwal- DGM CO New Delhi; Sunil Dutt- AGM HO, Faim Khan- AGM ZO Delhi, Shikha Aneja -AGM CO New Delhi, were also present.