# Vande Mataram played at Red Fort for first time

2026-08-15T05:36:21+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Vande Mataram was rendered at the Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations for the first time, with an Army band playing the tune as guests sang along. Prime Minister Narendra Modi then hoisted the national flag, followed by the national anthem. The event also marked 150 years of the national song, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 and adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1950. The Federal, citing PTI, reported that two Mi-17 helicopters later showered flower petals, with one carrying the national flag and another a Vande Mataram flag. Modi also outlined his Sapt Dhara vision, covering manufacturing, agriculture, technology, logistics, defence, the green and blue economy, and India’s soft power.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/on-video-vande-mataram-kickstarts-red-fort-independence-day-celebrations-in-a-historic-first-101786760551363.html>
- thefederal.com <https://thefederal.com/category/news/vande-mataram-echoes-red-fort-first-time-80th-independence-day-253596>
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/first-vande-mataram-pm-modis-sapta-dhara-and-dimagi-naxal-warning-key-highlights-from-indias-80th-independence-day/articleshow/133254077.cms>

Tags: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Narendra Modi, Red Fort, Vande Mataram
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