Archive · 15 Aug 2026
PM Modi hoists flag, Vande Mataram echoes at Red Fort
India celebrates its Independence Day every year to remember the day the country became free.
On this special day, the Prime Minister goes to a famous old fort called the Red Fort.
He raises the national flag for everyone to see.
This year was the 80th time this celebration happened.
A brave officer named Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan helped the Prime Minister put up the flag.
At the exact same moment, soldiers fired guns 21 times in a special salute.
That salute is called the 21-Gun Salute.
For the very first time, the national song Vande Mataram was sung at the Red Fort during the celebration.
It was a proud moment for everyone watching.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the National Flag at Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day.
Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan assisted the PM in hoisting the National Flag.
The National Song Vande Mataram was rendered at Red Fort during the celebrations for the first time.
The flag hoisting was synchronised with a 21-Gun Salute by the gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial).
The ceremonial battery used indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns and was commanded by Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, assisted by Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan, along with soldiers of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial).
- What
- National Flag hoisting and Independence Day celebrations, including the first rendition of Vande Mataram and a 21-Gun Salute.
- When
- On the 80th Independence Day.
- Where
- Red Fort.
- Why
- To mark the 80th Independence Day celebrations.
- Event
- 80th Independence Day celebrations
- Location
- Red Fort
- Flag hoisted by
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- PM's assistant
- Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan
- Gun salute
- 21-Gun Salute
- Ceremonial battery
- 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial)
- Battery commander
- Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat
- Guns used
- Indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns