New Delhi, Aug. 13 -- As India prepares for Independence Day celebrations this year, the authorities have made several arrangements for visitors set to participate in the grand celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead 80th Independence Day celebrations from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort in Delhi on 15 August.

Vande Mataram will be sung for the first time at this year's celebrations to mark 150 years of the national song. It is anticipated that the event will see around 27,000 footfall, with youth innovators, interns, entrepreneurs and students among those invited, defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Monday at a media briefing.

"The floral decoration will showcase 'Vande Mataram', with a total of 2,500 boy & gi...