Hyderabad: The Armed Forces Flag Day (AFFD) was celebrated with reverence across Telangana, at the Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Hyderabad, and ten regional sainik welfare offices. The events involved ex-servicemen, their families, and NCC cadets, reaffirming the state’s respect for the sacrifices of the Indian Armed Forces.
Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, chairperson of the Armed Forces Flag Day (AFFD) Fund, inaugurated the celebrations by wearing an AFFD sticker and making a donation. He presented trophies to the Hyderabad region, which raised Rs.2.5 lakh, and the Nizamabad region, which collected Rs.4.7 lakh.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy marked the occasion with a ₹1 lakh donation, while Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari and special chief secretary Ravi Gupta also contributed significantly.
At the Somajiguda directorate, the event included a tribute to Veer Naris — wives of soldiers who sacrificed their lives — and honours for gallantry awardees from Telangana.
Major General N. Srinivas Rao 9reted) and Anuradha, felicitated the awardees. Col Ramesh Kumar, Director of Sainik Welfare, expressed gratitude to government employees, NCC cadets, and commanders for their unwavering support in raising funds and celebrating the armed forces.
Adding to the tribute, a honour run was held at PVNR Marg, attracting over 1,200 participants. The run, featuring 4 km, 5 km, and 12.5 km categories, symbolised endurance and unity. Veterans ran alongside participants, sharing inspiring stories of their service in the Armed Forces, fostering a sense of camaraderie and respect.
The event concluded with a ceremony honouring the sacrifices and dedication of veterans. Major General Akhilesh Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Bison Division, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, stating, “Today, we celebrated not just a run but a legacy of service and sacrifice.”
