India, Aug. 14 -- In a historic first, the national song Vande Mataram was played to open the final Monsoon Session proceedings on Thursday.

The move came days after a new law granted the National Song legal protection and set rules for official renditions.

On the last day of the Monsoon Session, Lok Sabha proceedings opened with Vande Mataram on Thursday, marking a first for Parliament, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and a full house in attendance.

After six stanzas of the National Song were played, the Lower House was subsequently adjourned sine die, bringing the session to a close. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla did not read out the usual valedictory address in which he highlights the performance and product...