80th Independence Day Celebrated at Red Fort with Tribute to Vande Mataram
The 80th Independence Day celebrations took place at the Red Fort as Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and led the ceremonial flag-hoisting ceremony.
The morning began with misty weather over the historic monument before clearing as the ceremony approached. Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan assisted the Prime Minister in hoisting the Tricolour, which was synchronised with a 21-gun salute. Following the Rashtriya Salute, two Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters—one carrying the national flag and the other carrying a flag inscribed with Vande Mataram—showered flower petals across the venue.
This year's event carried special significance as it marked 150 years of Vande Mataram. In a first for the Red Fort ceremony, all six stanzas of the national song were rendered, followed by the national anthem. An Army band played the song as the Prime Minister reached the ramparts, and attendees were provided programme booklets containing the full text. Along Gyanpath, NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers formed the words Vande Mataram in white and saffron, while floral arrangements across the venue echoed the theme.
Attendees gathered from across the National Capital Region and beyond, including 10-year-old Harsh Chowhan from Noida, who attended the national event for the first time. Schoolchildren, NCC cadets, performers, and teachers were among the crowd after weeks of preparations and rehearsals.
Nearly 5,000 special guests attended the event, representing various national programmes. The invitees included International Yoga Day volunteers, women entrepreneurs supported by the PM Mudra Yojana, MY Bharat volunteers, beneficiaries of PMAY(U), street vendors under PM SVANidhi, and PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries. In addition, more than 1,500 people representing various states and Union territories attended dressed in traditional attire.
The celebrations coincided with Navroz, the Parsi New Year, during which Prime Minister Modi extended greetings to the community and acknowledged its contributions to nation-building.
The event was held under tight security arrangements, nine months after the November 10 blast near the Red Fort.
