NEW DELHI: For the first time at the Independence Day function at Red Fort this year, Vande Mataram will be sung and over 27,000 dignitaries, visitors and students will have to stand during the playing of the national song, defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Monday. Besides Vande Mataram, Yuva Shakti will be on full display on Aug 15.Addressing a briefing here, the defence secretary said, “As 2026 marks 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, the national song that inspired millions during the freedom struggle will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the first time as a tribute to its enduring legacy. The sequence (of events) is that he (PM Modi) arrives on the rampart, then the national song is played and everybody keeps standing. Thereafter, he unfurls the flag and the national anthem is played.” The floral decoration will showcase ‘Vande Mataram’, with a total of 2,500 boy and girl cadets of NCC and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers forming Vande Mataram’ on Gyanpath opposite the rampart. An IAF Mi-17 helicopter will carry a banner commemorating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, and shower flower petals at the venue.The I-Day celebrations 2026 will also acknowledge the success of youth in different spheres. Achievements of 19 medal-winning students in international physics, chemistry, biology and mathematical Olympiad 2026 is an example of the success of Yuva Shakti in the field of science. “They have been invited for the function and will be seated on the rampart,” the defence secretary said, adding, “over 500 students from Delhi govt schools have also been invited for the event.”When asked whether ‘Yuva Shakti: Leading the journey to Viksit Bharat @2047’ theme was decided after the Jantar Mantar student protest, Singh said, “Such big celebrations are planned much in advance. It was planned much before the protests.”When asked about a controversy in the past involving Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s seating arrangement, the defence secretary said, “In the past, his seat was assigned as per the table of precedence. This year too, LOP has been invited, and his seating would be as per the table of precedence, which is exactly after Cabinet ministers.”View cutters in the backdrop will showcase India’s progress in nuclear and space technology, with the floral decoration at the guard of honour area depicting India’s journey to Viksit Bharat in 2047. Around 5,000 special guests, who are achievers from different walks of life and are guiding the country in its Viksit Bharat journey, have been invited as special guests for the celebrations. Special guests also include the silent warriors, who work hard round-the-clock to assist others in achieving their goals.
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For I-Day celebrations, the names of the seating enclosures have been named after major lakes of India.Over 1,500 Delhi-based people from various states/UTs dressed in traditional attire have also been invited to witness the grand ceremony. Paying tribute to the anthem that united and inspired generations during the freedom struggle, a number of band performances are being held pan-India from Aug 8.Delhi Metro will be operational from 4 am on Aug 15 for people to reach the venue. Metro services will be provided free of cost to all invitees. Metro QR codes will be provided with e-invitation.
