In India, Armed Forces Flag Day is celebrated to honour the soldiers of the IAF who have sacrificed their lives for the defense of the country, for internal security and for the protection of India’s citizens during natural calamities. And, on this day, the President of Parmarth Niketan, HH Param Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, offered heartfelt tributes to them and to their families for their service to the Nation.

Pujya Swamiji shared that “our soldiers die while protecting our borders, serving the nation and performing their duties for our citizens. Our soldiers are no less than saints. Today is celebrated for all of our serving soldiers and military personnel and for our ex-servicemen and their families. India is on the way to becoming a global power from a regional power and the army has an important contribution in this. Whether the conditions on the borders of India are adverse or friendly, our soldiers always respond with courage. We may or may not have modern weapons, but our soldiers always keep India’s borders safe with their steely strength and brave intentions.

“Our soldiers always display indomitable courage and bravery to protect their Motherland and to face its enemies. If there are soldiers on our borders then our borders are safe; if there is a soldier on-duty, we are all safe and alive. Soldiers protect their country by putting their lives at risk, and they courageously sacrifice their lives to protect Mother India. Blessed are those parents who gave India such brave sons. Because of them, India stands proud and secure today.

To honour all of the martyred soldiers remembered on this day, Pujya Swamiji dedicated the Sacred Ganga Aarti to their memories, and planted a sacred Rudraksh sapling on the grounds of Parmarth Niketan, near Pujya Swamiji’s jhopri, in honour of the lives lost in defense of the Nation.