In a historic first, Vande Mataram, the national song of India, was played at the Red Fort on Saturday morning as India celebrated its 80th Independence Day. Vande Mataram was followed by the recitation of the national anthem at the grand event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the tricolour. Track live updates on Independence Day celebrations
This comes after the Parliament passed the Vande Mataram Bill during the recently concluded monsoon session. This was followed by President Droupadi Murmu giving assent to the Bill, granting the National Song the same legal protection as the national anthem.
The grand function marks 150 years of the national song,'Vande Mataram', as floral decoration on the ramparts depicted the national flag at the centre flanked by 'Vande Mataram' in Hindi.
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Deep Dive
Why was Vande Mataram played at the Red Fort during the Independence Day celebrations?
What legal significance does the Vande Mataram Bill hold?
How does Prime Minister Modi's speech connect Vande Mataram to India's future?
An Army band played the tune of 'Vande Mataram' while the guests present at Red Fort sung the national song. The guests included Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, among others.
Watch ‘Vande Mataram’ rendition at Red Fort
Vande Mataram recitation was followed by the prime minister hoisting the national flag. The national anthem was sung later.
{{/usCountry}}Vande Mataram recitation was followed by the prime minister hoisting the national flag. The national anthem was sung later.
{{/usCountry}}The Vande Mataram Bill received the President's assent on Tuesday, making it a law and bringing the national song under the ambit of Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act which earlier prohibited intentionally preventing the singing of the national anthem (Jana Gana Mana) or causing disturbance to any assembly engaged in such singing.
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In his speech, Modi on Saturday also highlighted the significance of Vande Mataram being rendered at the Red Fort and said, “For everyone present at this ceremony today, this is also a historic moment. For the first time since Independence, Vande Mataram is echoing from the Red Fort on August 15.”
Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875, Vande Mataram became a rallying cry during India's struggle for freedom from the British colonial rule. 'Vande Mataram' as a political slogan was first used on August 7, 1905, according to a note '150 Years of Vande Mataram: A Melody That Became a Movement', shared by the government on November 6 last year.
It was subsequently adopted as India's national song by the Constituent Assembly in 1950, three years after India attained independence.
The government last November launched a year-long celebration to mark 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'.
Highlights from PM Modi's Independence Day speech
Reiterating the government's resolve, PM Modi on Friday said India will become ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
“In the last 12 years, every Indian has tried to take the country to new heights. That is why 25 crore Indians have broken free of poverty in such a short time,” Modi said, as he said that said that India cannot be dependent on other nations.
The prime minister added that in the past 12 years, defence production increased by four times, electronic manufacturing by seven times, high-tech railway coach production by 21 times, and mobile phone manufacturing by 33 times.
He highlighted that the country saw numerous achievements in the digital and innovation sector as well.
"Internet consumers increased by four times. Grant of patents went up by four times. Digital transactions increased by 100 per cent," Modi added.