Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Chintakayala Donates His First Salary to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund

Newly elected Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh Vijay Chintakayala on Thursday met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and donated his first parliamentary salary to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. The contribution came after he was inspired by Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh’s message of putting the nation first. According to a press release from the minister’s office, Chintakayala said he felt honoured to dedicate his first salary toward the welfare of serving armed forces personnel, veterans and their families.

Chintakayala credited Lokesh for inspiring the gesture, recalling his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tradition of spending Diwali with India’s armed forces and standing alongside those protecting the country. He said Lokesh’s emphasis on national service, while preserving the pride and self-respect of the Telugu people, motivated him to make the contribution as he began his parliamentary journey.

The MP described the donation as a modest effort to follow a leadership philosophy that places public service above personal interests and works toward strengthening the country. Chintakayala was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh in June 2026 and took his oath as an MP on June 25.

The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund was established on April 13, 1993, by combining several existing welfare funds. It provides assistance and rehabilitation support to needy ex-servicemen, war widows, disabled veterans and their dependants. Armed Forces Flag Day is observed nationwide every December 7. The day honours India’s soldiers and highlights the nation’s responsibility toward veterans, war-disabled personnel, Veer Naris and families of fallen service members.