80th Independence Day celebrations mark 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’

• India celebrated the 80th Independence Day on August 15, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations at the Red Fort complex.

• For the first time, the National Song, ‘Vande Mataram’, was rendered during the celebrations at the Red Fort.

• An Army band played the tune of ‘Vande Mataram’ as the guests present on the occasion sang the National Song. 

• Floral decoration on the ramparts depicted the National Flag at the centre, flanked by ‘Vande Mataram’ in Hindi.

Seating enclosures named after major lakes 

• To end VIP culture and underscore the importance of water conservation, the seating enclosures were named after rivers in Republic Day 2026. 

• For the Independence Day Celebrations, the names of the seating enclosures have been named after major lakes of India. 

• These include Badkhal, Bhimtal, Chandratal, Chilika, Dalpat Sagar, Dimna, Dudhsagar, Haflong, Harike, Hussain Sagar, Kanwar, Kankaria, Kolleru, Loktak, Lonar, Pangong Tso, Pulicat, Pushkar, Rabindra Sarobar, Ramgarh Tal, Rudrasagar, Sakhya Sagar, Shanti Sagar, Vembanad and Wular.