Bhubaneswar, Aug. 15 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hoisted the National Flag at Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day. The hoisting of the National Flag was synchronised with the 21-Gun Salute by the gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial).

The ceremonial battery, utilising the indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns, was commanded by Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat, and the Gun Position Officer was Naib Subedar (Assistant Instructor in Gunnery) Anuthosh Sarkar.

For the first time, the National Song Vande Mataram was rendered during Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort. Addressing the nation, PM Modi first paid tributes to Bapu and all the freedom fighters and revolutionaries on this Independence Day, and said, "For ever...