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Independence Day 2026: 'Vande Mataram' echoed for the first time at Red Fort, MI-17 helicopter carrying the flag flew

Samira Vishwas | August 15, 2026 2:24 PM CST

New Delhi. On the occasion of 80th Independence Day, mass singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ took place for the first time at the Red Fort in Delhi on Saturday. Through this special event, 150 years of legacy of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ was remembered.

After the collective singing, MI-17 helicopter was seen flying in the sky carrying the flag of ‘Vande Mataram’. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mentioned this historical moment in his address and said that for the first time after independence, ‘Vande Mataram’ is resonating at the Red Fort. He said that when the country is celebrating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, what could be a bigger occasion than this.

The figure of ‘Vande Mataram’ was also made on Gyanpath in front of the ramparts of the Red Fort. Around 2,500 boys and girls, including volunteers of ‘Mera Bharat’ along with cadets from the Army, Navy and Air Force participated in it. Special visual barriers were also installed on Gyanpath to reflect the theme of the event ‘Developed India @2047’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 80th Independence Day celebrations from the ramparts of the Red Fort. On reaching the courtyard of the Red Fort, he was welcomed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defense Sanjay Seth and Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

After this, the Defense Secretary introduced the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Rajesh Sethi, to the Prime Minister. The GOC of Delhi area escorted the Prime Minister to the salute stage, where a joint contingent of the three services and Delhi Police gave him the ‘General Salute’. After this the Prime Minister inspected the ‘Guard of Honour’.

The Prime Minister hoisted the tricolor on the ramparts of the Red Fort. Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan assisted him in hoisting the national flag. The program started with the national anthem.

Along with the flag hoisting, the gunners of 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) gave a 21-gun salute. Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat took command of this ceremonial battery equipped with indigenous 105 mm light field gun.