In a historic first, the nationwide track ‘Vande Mataram’ will likely be sung in the course of the Independence Day celebrations on the iconic Purple Fort on August 15, and the occasion’s theme would be the contributions of youth energy towards making India a developed nation by 2047, the federal government introduced on Monday.
Defence Secretary R Okay Singh, addressing a press convention, stated the plan to have a good time the success and contribution of youths in the course of the occasion “predates” the scholars’ protest on the Jantar Mantar.
“Youths are a essential a part of our journey in the direction of Viksit Bharat as a result of they are going to each be contributing to it and will likely be hopefully gaining from it. That’s the solely motive,” he stated.
“The plan to have a good time the success and contribution of youth on the Independence Day celebrations predates another occasion,” Singh stated.
“I can guarantee you that this planning predates the Jantar Mantar agitation,” he added.
India will mark its eightieth Independence Day on August 15, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi main the celebrations from the Purple Fort in Delhi.
Singh acknowledged that as 2026 marks 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, the nationwide track that impressed thousands and thousands in the course of the freedom battle, will likely be sung from the ramparts of the Purple Fort for the primary time as a tribute to its enduring legacy.
‘Vande Mataram’ will likely be sung upon the prime minister’s arrival on the Purple Fort. Thereafter, he’ll unfurl the nationwide flag and ship the customary tackle to the nation, in line with the defence secretary.
The celebrations this 12 months may also commemorate ‘Yuva Shakti’ (youth energy), acknowledging the contribution of younger India in constructing a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, he added.
A Mi-17 helicopter of the Indian Air Power will carry a banner commemorating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram and bathe flower petals over the folks gathered on the Purple Fort.
To a query, the defence secretary stated Chief of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has been invited to the occasion and the seating preparations for the invitees will likely be strictly adopted as per the Desk of Priority (ToP).
Singh stated as per ToP, Gandhi’s seat will likely be after the cupboard ministers.
The Independence day celebrations will acknowledge the success of youth in numerous spheres, one other defence ministry official stated.
“Achievements of 19 medallist college students of Worldwide Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematical Olympiad 2026 is an instance of the success of Yuva Shakti within the discipline of science. They’ve been invited for the operate and will likely be seated on the rampart,” the official stated.
Roughly 5,000 particular visitors, who’re achievers from completely different walks of life and are guiding the nation in its ‘Viksit Bharat’ journey, have been invited as particular visitors for the celebrations, he stated.
The invitation playing cards for the principle occasion this 12 months showcase ‘Seva Teerth’ to inspire the folks to maneuver ahead with dedication for the well-being of each citizen, the official stated.
“Dharm Chakra on the invitation card symbolises the everlasting motion of righteous responsibility and steady selfless motion,” he stated.
PM Modi, whereas dedicating ‘Seva Teerth’ to the nation, stated that it stands as a “radiant and highly effective image of responsibility, compassion and dedication to the precept of nation first, the official identified.
To finish VIP tradition and underscore the significance of water conservation, the seating enclosures had been named after rivers within the Republic Day, the official stated.
For the Independence Day celebrations, the seating enclosures have been named after main lakes of India, he added.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
