New Delhi: Newly elected Rajya Sabha Member from Andhra Pradesh Vijay Chintakayala met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday and donated his first salary as a Member of Parliament to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.
Mr. Vijay said it was an honour to begin his parliamentary journey by dedicating his first salary to the welfare of India’s armed forces personnel, veterans and their families.
The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund was established on April 13, 1993, by merging various existing welfare funds. It supports welfare and rehabilitation initiatives for needy ex-servicemen, war widows, disabled veterans and their dependants.
Speaking about the decision, Mr. Vijay said the idea was inspired by TDP National Working President Nara Lokesh’s ‘Nation First’ approach and his emphasis on respecting those who serve the country.
“Our National Working President, Shri Nara Lokesh Ji, has often spoken about how the Hon’ble Prime Minister has spent 12 Diwalis with our armed forces, standing alongside those who guard our nation. His words on putting the nation first, while upholding the self-respect and pride of Telugu people, have left a deep impression on me,” Mr. Vijay said.
He said Nara Lokesh’s words inspired him to make the contribution as he began his journey in Parliament. He described the gesture as a humble step towards a leadership philosophy that places service before self and works towards building a stronger Bharat.
The contribution comes as Mr. Vijay begins his first term in the Rajya Sabha. He was elected to the Upper House from Andhra Pradesh in June 2026 and took his oath as a Member of Parliament on June 25, 2026.
By donating his first parliamentary salary to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, Mr. Vijay said he sought to contribute towards the welfare of those who serve the country and their families.
