Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Independence Day 2026: Mumbai Mayor Hoists Flag, PM Leads Celebrations
On Saturday, August 15, India celebrated its 80th Independence Day.
In Mumbai, Mayor Ritu Tawde raised the National Flag at 7 o'clock in the morning at the Mayor's Bungalow in Byculla.
Officials and local residents came together for the ceremony.
At the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a big celebration at the Red Fort in New Delhi.
For the very first time, the special song Vande Mataram was sung at the Red Fort.
The Prime Minister raised the flag, the national anthem played, and cannons fired a 21-gun salute.
Two helicopters from the Indian Air Force dropped flower petals from the sky.
The theme of this year's celebration is Yuva Shakti, which means the strength of young people.
The Prime Minister also said he was worried about floods and landslides in some parts of the country and promised that the whole nation stands with the affected families.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde hoisted the National Flag at 7 am on August 15 at the Mayor's Bungalow in Byculla for India's 80th Independence Day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebrations at the Red Fort in New Delhi, hoisting the flag followed by the national anthem and a 21-gun salute.
For the first time since Independence, Vande Mataram was rendered at the Red Fort as part of the Independence Day ceremony.
Two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force showered flower petals over the flag-hoisting ceremony.
This year's celebrations centre on Yuva Shakti, highlighting India's youth in the journey towards a Viksit Bharat by 2047, and the Prime Minister expressed concern over recent floods and landslides.
- Who
- Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, municipal officials including Chanda Jadhav and Anand Kankal, and the Indian Air Force.
- What
- Flag-hoisting ceremonies and celebrations marking India's 80th Independence Day.
- When
- Saturday, August 15, 2026; the Mumbai flag hoisting was at 7 am.
- Where
- Mayor's Bungalow in Byculla, Mumbai, and the Red Fort in New Delhi.
- Why
- To mark India's 80th Independence Day, with celebrations centred on Yuva Shakti and the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
- Event
- India's 80th Independence Day celebrations
- Date
- Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Mumbai ceremony
- Flag hoisted at 7 am by Mayor Ritu Tawde at the Mayor's Bungalow, Byculla
- National ceremony
- Red Fort, New Delhi, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- First-time milestone
- Vande Mataram rendered at the Red Fort
- Theme
- Yuva Shakti, highlighting youth's role in the journey to Viksit Bharat by 2047
- Ceremonial honours
- 21-gun salute and flower petals showered by two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force
- PM's concern
- Recent floods and landslides in parts of the country affecting several families