NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI/PUDUCHERRY, AUG 9
From the streets of Puducherry to the historic shores of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India on Sunday turned the Tricolour into a living expression of freedom, unity and national resolve, as leaders across the country called upon citizens—especially the youth—to carry forward the spirit of the freedom struggle and transform patriotism into a commitment to nation-building.
Tiranga, is a symbol of the unbreakable bond that has always inspired us to unite and build our nation into an edifice of progress.
Today, flagged off the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Yatra’ in Puducherry, where thousands of youth joined with a pledge for a Viksit Bharat, as envisioned by… pic.twitter.com/TQHYHdUBye
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 9, 2026
- PM Modi calls on citizens to hoist the Tricolour and renew resolve to build a ‘Viksit Bharat’
- Amit Shah flags off Tiranga Yatra in Puducherry as thousands of youngsters showcase patriotic fervour
- Vice-President Radhakrishnan launches ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’ from historic Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- From Quit India Movement to today, the Tricolour carries the sacrifices and aspirations of generations
- ‘Bharat is one and will always remain one’: Vice-President
- ‘Generosity should never be mistaken for weakness’: Radhakrishnan calls for national strength and sovereignty
With Independence Day approaching, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah led separate but interconnected celebrations centred on the national flag, bringing together the memories of sacrifice, the aspirations of a rising India and the resolve for a stronger Bharat.
PM Modi: Let the Tricolour inspire the best in every Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to participate enthusiastically in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, describing the national flag as India’s pride and a constant source of inspiration to give one’s best for the nation.
“Our Tricolour is our pride and a constant source of inspiration to always give our best for the nation. Let us participate enthusiastically in the #HarGharTiranga movement and renew our collective resolve to contribute towards building a Viksit Bharat,” Modi said in a post on X.
The campaign, launched in 2022 under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, has evolved into an annual national tradition, with crores of citizens voluntarily hoisting the national flag around Independence Day.
The 2026 edition was launched on August 6 and is being observed from August 9 to 17 across the country.
Modi also said he was pleased that this year’s campaign is dedicated to the national song ‘Vande Mataram’, at a time when the nation is marking its 150th anniversary.
Puducherry erupts in patriotic fervour as Amit Shah leads youth
In Puducherry, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah flagged off the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Yatra’, drawing thousands of youngsters from different parts of the Union Territory.
The streets of Puducherry became a sea of the Tricolour as young participants joined the Yatra, transforming the national flag into a powerful symbol of patriotism, unity and youthful energy.
The participation of large numbers of youngsters underscored the growing role of India’s new generation in carrying forward the legacy of the freedom struggle.
The Yatra also reinforced the central message of Har Ghar Tiranga—that the national flag is not merely a ceremonial symbol but a reminder of the responsibilities that accompany freedom.
From the ‘Kala Pani’ to the Tricolour: Andamans remembers its freedom legacy
In the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’ by hoisting the National Flag at Flag Point, Sri Vijaya Puram, on August Kranti Diwas, commemorating the Quit India Movement of 1942.
Addressing the gathering at the State Function and Tiranga Concert on Vande Mataram at the DBRAIT Auditorium, the Vice-President said there could be no more appropriate place to launch the campaign than these historic islands, which are deeply associated with India’s freedom struggle and the history of the Tricolour.
Recalling the immortal words of Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, Radhakrishnan said Bharati’s celebration of the ‘Mani Kodi’ reflected the eternal courage of the Indian spirit and the glory of the flag of Mother Bharat.
He said the Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan carries forward that spirit by bringing every citizen together under one National Flag, one motherland and one common destiny.
‘Bharat is one and will always remain one’
Recalling the sacrifices of freedom fighters who endured the dreaded Kala Pani, the Vice-President described the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as “a sacred land of sacrifice”.
He paid tribute to Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and countless other patriots who suffered in the Cellular Jail, saying their courage, patriotism and sacrifice continue to inspire generations.
Radhakrishnan also recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s clarion call of “Do or Die” on August 8, 1942, which awakened millions of Indians and gave decisive impetus to the freedom struggle.
He highlighted the islands’ unique place in the history of the Tricolour, recalling that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian National Flag there on December 30, 1943, marking a landmark moment in India’s freedom struggle.
Calling Har Ghar Tiranga a nationwide people’s movement, the Vice-President urged every citizen to proudly display the Tricolour and imbibe the values of patriotism, unity and collective responsibility that it represents.
“Bharat is one and will always remain one,” he affirmed.
‘Generosity should never be mistaken for weakness’
The Vice-President described the islands as a living example of ‘Unity in Diversity’ and ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, while highlighting their rich tribal heritage and progress in connectivity, healthcare, education and infrastructure.
He said the Great Nicobar Island Development Project would strengthen India’s maritime capabilities, connectivity and economic opportunities while balancing development with environmental conservation.
Emphasising that national strength must accompany India’s tradition of peace and generosity, he said:
“India has always been generous, but our generosity should never be mistaken for weakness. We must remain prepared to protect our national interests and sovereignty.”
He called upon citizens to allow the Tricolour to inspire them with courage, unity and hope, and to carry forward the legacy of freedom fighters by contributing to a stronger and developed Bharat.
The Vice-President also attended a cultural programme and visited the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ Exhibition, showcasing the campaign’s message of national unity and patriotism.
The Andaman & Nicobar event was attended by Lieutenant Governor Admiral D. K. Joshi (Retd.), Chief Secretary Chanchal Yadav, Chairperson of Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council M. Vasantha and Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad, P. Ummer, among other dignitaries.
A Tricolour that binds generations
As the Tricolour rises from homes, streets and public spaces across India, the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign is seeking to turn the approaching Independence Day into more than a celebration.
From the “Do or Die” call of 1942 to the young faces carrying the flag through Puducherry today, and from the historic Cellular Jail to homes across the country, the message remains rooted in the same ideal:
Freedom was won through sacrifice. It must be strengthened through unity, responsibility and service.
The Tricolour, once a symbol carried by freedom fighters into the struggle for independence, now stands as a reminder to every citizen of the India they are entrusted to build.
One flag. One nation. One collective resolve.
