India, Aug. 15 -- In a historic first, Vande Mataram, the national song of India, was played at the Red Fort on Saturday morning as India celebrated its 80th Independence Day. Vande Mataram was followed by the recitation of the national anthem at the grand event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the tricolour. Track live updates on Independence Day celebrations

This comes after the Parliament passed the Vande Mataram Bill during the recently concluded monsoon session. This was followed by President Droupadi Murmu giving assent to the Bill, granting the National Song the same legal protection as the national anthem.

The grand function marks 150 years of the national song,'Vande Mataram', as floral decoration on the ramparts depi...