In a historic first, ‘Vande Mataram’ was played in full during the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The rendition by the Army band followed the hoisting of the National Flag and was followed by the National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
The special ceremony comes as India marks 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, a song that played a major role in the freedom movement. Two IAF helicopters showered flower petals over the Red Fort, with one carrying the National Flag and another displaying a ‘Vande Mataram’ banner.
The rendition also comes days after the song was accorded the same legal protection as the National Anthem under the amended Prevention of Insults to National Honour law. The government has highlighted ‘Vande Mataram’s’ historic role in India’s freedom struggle, with President Droupadi Murmu recalling how the song became a powerful symbol during the Swadeshi Movement.
