India Cements 80th Independence Day with First‑Ever Red Fort Rendition of Vande Mataram

On Sunday, 15 August 2026, the Red Fort in Delhi became the epicentre of India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the day’s programme with the tricolour hoisted on the fort’s ramparts, followed by a 21‑gun salute by the ceremonial gunners of the 1721 Field Battery. After the flag was raised, the PM delivered his traditional address from the same golden ridge, after which the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ was called to the crowd for the first time from this historic site.

Flag Hoisting and 21‑Gun Salute

The flag‑hoisting ceremony was preceded by a 21‑gun salute, a rare military honour at the Red Fort. The gunners of the 1721 Field Battery deployed indigenous 105‑mm light field guns, synchronised with the raising of the national flag on the fort’s ramparts, a tradition that underscored the solemnity of the occasion.

Prime Minister’s Address

Prime Minister Modi’s address from the ramparts followed the salute. In a speech that ran the gamut from economic milestones and AI ambitions to reflections on the COVID‑19 pandemic and the Ukraine‑West Asia conflict, he called for a continued citizen‑first approach and pledged support for flood‑affected families. The commentary also featured the launch of ‘Saptdharas’, a developmental framework aimed at achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.

Historic First Performance of Vande Mataram

The crescendo of the day was the inaugural rendition of the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ from the Red Fort’s ramparts. Prime Minister Modi described the moment as historic, noting that it was the first time since independence that the song echoed from this iconic site. Cadets of the National Cadet Corps and volunteers performed the melody, followed by the national anthem, symbolising unity and patriotism.