Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Vande Mataram Debuts At Red Fort On 80th Independence Day
India will celebrate being free for 80 years on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
A very famous song called Vande Mataram will be sung at the Red Fort for the very first time.
The Red Fort is the historic place in Delhi where India's flag is raised every Independence Day.
Vande Mataram means 'I bow to thee, Mother' and praises India like a loving mother.
A writer named Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote the song in 1876.
It first appeared in his book called Anandamath in 1882.
Long ago, freedom fighters sang this song to show they wanted India to be free from British rule.
This year is extra special because it has been 150 years since the song was written.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh told people about this plan on August 10.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also give a speech at the Red Fort on the big day.
Vande Mataram will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the first time as part of the official flag-hoisting ceremony on India's 80th Independence Day.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced the landmark inclusion at a press briefing in the capital on August 10, saying the plan to celebrate youth predates the students' protest at Jantar Mantar.
The 80th Independence Day marks the 150th anniversary of the song's composition in 1876 by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
Vande Mataram first appeared in Chattopadhyay's 1882 Bengali novel Anandamath and gained prominence during the Swadeshi Movement following the 1905 partition of Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech at the Red Fort; Jana Gana Mana remains India's National Anthem while Vande Mataram is the National Song.
- Who
- Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced the plan; Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed the song; Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech.
- What
- Vande Mataram will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the first time as an integral part of the official flag-hoisting ceremonial sequence.
- When
- August 15, 2026, India's 80th Independence Day; the announcement was made on August 10.
- Where
- The Red Fort, Delhi, India.
- Why
- To mark the 80th Independence Day and the 150th anniversary of the song's composition, and to celebrate the success and contribution of youths.
- Event
- India's 80th Independence Day
- Date
- August 15, 2026 (Saturday)
- Venue
- Red Fort, Delhi
- First-time inclusion
- Vande Mataram sung from the Red Fort ramparts during the official flag-hoisting ceremony
- Song
- Vande Mataram (National Song)
- Composer
- Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
- Composed
- 1876 (150th anniversary in 2026)
- First appeared
- 1882 Bengali novel Anandamath
