Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on the 80th Independence Day, exhorted Indians to dream big to achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047, saying the world will be forced to look at the country differently as “we work towards achieving this dream”. After arriving at the Red Fort and receiving the Guard of Honour, PM Modi unfurled the Tricolour, paying rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and freedom fighters while remembering their sacrifices.
An Army band played the tune of ‘Vande Mataram’ as the guests present on the occasion sang the national song. This was followed by the Prime Minister hoisting the national flag, and then the National Anthem was recited. Flower petals were showered at the venue by two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force — one trooping the national flag and the other carrying a flag depicting ‘Vande Mataram’.
Independence Day: The Hindu newspaper from August 15, 1947
Nearly 5,000 special guests from different walks of life have been invited to witness the celebrations at Red Fort this year. A large number of people from various States and Union Territories, dressed in traditional Indian attire, were also invited to witness the grand ceremony.
Here are some pictures of the Independence Day celebrations across India:
Photo:
Sushil Kumar Verma
PM Modi inspects the Guard of Honour at the Red Fort during the 80th Independence Day celebration, in New Delhi on August 15, 2026.
Photo:
PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoists the National Flag at the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day.
Two IAF Mi-17 helicopters conducted a flower-petal shower over the venue.
Photo:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on the 80th Independence Day, said sectors that were once seen as “no-go” areas are now “go-ahead” areas.
Photo:
PTI
India is going to host 2030 CWG; we want to host 2036 Olympics, Mr. Modi said. Before the 2036 Olympics, we need to expand into sporting disciplines in which we never used to qualify earlier, he added.
Photo:
PTI
“Coaching classes burden on poor, middle class; we will provide free online coaching for various exams,” Prime Minister Modi said in his I-Day speech.
Photo:
Sushil Kumar Verma
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with the youth gathered at the Red Fort. Mr. Modi, In his 13th consecutive Independence Day address to the nation, assured the youth of resources and support, as he highlighted the growth of India’s startup ecosystem and the government’s ₹1 lakh crore Innovation Fund to support ideas and capabilities.
Photo:
PTI
For the first time, the National Song Vande Mataram was rendered during Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort on August 15, 2026.
Photo:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hoists the tricolour flag at the AICC HQ, Indira Bhawan, in New Delhi. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and former president of the AICC Sonia Gandhi are also seen.
Photo:
Emmanual Yogini
A young child sprints through Mumbai with the Tricolour held high, radiating pure joy during the Independence Day celebrations.
Photo:
PTI
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on August 15, 2026, assured cooperation to the Union government on administrative matters and asserted that, however, his government will always oppose policies going against the State’s rights.
Photo:
Nirmal Harindran
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan hoisted the national flag at the Independence Day celebrations held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Mr. Satheesan reviewed the various platoons and received the salute from marching contingents of the police, NCC, NSS, Bharat Scouts and Guides and Student Police Cadets.
Photo:
E. Lakshmi Narayanan
Students perform a vibrant cultural programme during the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Mahatma Gandhi Stadium in Salem, Tamil Nadu.
Photo:
G.N. Rao
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu addresses the gathering after hoisting the national flag during the Independence Day celebrations in Amaravati.
Photo:
Special arrangement
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan inspects the ceremonial parade during the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the District Police Grounds in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Kalyan asked the youth to think before believing something, question before following, and inquire before taking a decision.
Photo:
S.S. Kumar
Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy salutes the national flag after hoisting it and inspecting the Guard of Honour by the territorial police, at Gandhi Thidal on Beach Road. The Chief Minister said his government was according priority to protection and security of women and children in the Union Territory.
Published – August 15, 2026 02:38 pm IST
