For first-time visitors, Independence Day at Red Fort offers memories of a lifetime

Thousands of people walked to the Red Fort early on Saturday morning to celebrate India’s 80th Independence Day, featuring a “Vande Mataram” theme and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address. For many, including families travelling long distances for their first time, the morning was less about the speeches and more about witnessing the historic ceremony in person.

Karuna and Sandeep, in their 30s, travelled from Karnataka with their children, Sayesh (7) and Avesh (5), to attend the celebrations. For Karuna, watching from the Red Fort was unforgettable. “This is my first time attending the Independence Day celebrations. I already have goosebumps,” she said as the Prime Minister began his address.

For Lalita Pal, who hoped to see Mr. Modi in person after her husband’s recent transfer to Delhi, the attraction was more personal. “We have travelled a long way, and what he spoke about children and their future was encouraging. Seeing the Tricolour flying made the whole place feel very patriotic,” she said, noting that despite the humid morning proving difficult for her young son, the family considered it worthwhile.

The celebrations also drew people unaware that entry required passes from the Ministry of Defence’s Aamantran portal, leaving queues stretching into the morning heat outside the Red Fort Metro station. As seats in the allotted areas filled and entry gates closed, some visitors were left waiting outside for more than two hours. Among them was Anita Devi, in her early 30s, who travelled from northwest Delhi’s Bawana by an early morning bus with her husband and son. Dressed in a green saree, she had not known a pass was required but decided to view the decorated fort from outside. “Even if I am standing outside, hearing the national anthem makes me feel proud,” she said.

For the first time, an Army band formally rendered Vande Mataram, with attendees joining in before the national anthem. The song was woven into the visuals; children in white and saffron formed “Vande Mataram” in their seats, while flower petals spelt it on the dais. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the Tricolour, Mi-17 helicopters flew over, releasing flower petals to cheering crowds while carrying flags with national colours and Vande Mataram. Tricolour balloons were released post-speech. Mr. Modi later met schoolchildren, NCC cadets, and My Bharat programme volunteers, underscoring the government’s focus on “Yuva Shakti” and a developed India by 2047.

(With inputs from Shrimansi Kaushik)