# Vande Mataram to be sung at Red Fort for first time on I-Day 2026-08-10T15:55:42+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet In a historic first, 'Vande Mataram' will be sung at the Red Fort during India's 80th Independence Day celebrations on August 15. Defence Secretary RK Singh announced that the national song will be performed before the tricolour is unfurled and the national anthem is played. The event will also highlight 'Yuva Shakti' (youth power), with 19 medal-winning students from International Olympiads invited as special guests. Around 5,000 achievers from various fields will attend. An IAF Mi-17 helicopter will shower flower petals, and a floral tableau at the Guard of Honour area will depict India's journey towards 'Viksit Bharat 2047'. The theme of this year's celebrations is youth and innovation. The Ministry of Defence outlined that over 27,000 dignitaries and guests will be present, and 2,500 NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers will form the words 'Vande Mataram' on the ground. Security and seating protocols, including the invitation to the Leader of the Opposition, are in place. The government says the event's focus on youth was planned long before recent demonstrations. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com - ndtv.com Tags: 80th Independence Day, Defence Ministry, PM Modi, Red Fort, Vande Mataram, Yuva Shakti Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/vande-mataram-to-play-at-red-fort-for-first-time-on-80th-i-day/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/vande-mataram-to-play-at-red-fort-for-first-time-on-80th-i-day/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.