Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday launched the nationwide Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 campaign, which will be observed across the country from August 9 to 17 to encourage citizens to hoist the National Flag and participate in activities celebrating patriotism, national unity and India’s cultural heritage.
The campaign, launched in New Delhi, marks the fifth year of the Har Ghar Tiranga initiative, which began in 2022 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations and has since evolved into one of the country’s largest public participation movements. The launch event was attended by Randhir Jaiswal, Additional Secretary (XP) and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, and Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
Addressing a press conference, Shekhawat said Har Ghar Tiranga has grown beyond a flag-hoisting campaign into a nationwide celebration driven by community participation, cultural programmes, heritage activities and digital engagement. He described it as a true people’s movement that inspires citizens across regions and communities to celebrate the Tricolour as a symbol of India’s unity, honour and collective national identity.
The Minister said this year’s campaign holds special significance as it coincides with the 150th anniversary of India’s National Song, “Vande Mataram,” bringing together the National Flag and the National Song in a unique celebration of patriotism.
As part of the celebrations, mass singing of Vande Mataram will be organised across the country. To help citizens learn the correct rendition, the Ministry of Culture has developed a five-step online tutorial, which will be available on the dedicated campaign website and the Har Ghar Tiranga portal. The popular “Selfie with Tiranga” feature will also incorporate the lyrics and tune of Vande Mataram, while exhibitions organised under the campaign will showcase the history of the National Song.
Shekhawat also announced the launch of “SURYAPATH TIRANGA,” a new flagship initiative under Har Ghar Tiranga 2026. Conceived as a symbolic global Tiranga relay, the initiative will begin at the easternmost Indian Mission witnessing sunrise and continue westward, with Indian Missions across the world ceremonially hoisting the National Flag in succession, symbolically following the path of daylight across the globe. The initiative aims to showcase the participation of the Indian diaspora and diplomatic missions in celebrating India’s Independence.
As part of the Independence Day commemorations, the Government will also observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on August 14 across the country to remember the suffering and displacement caused by the Partition of India.
The observance will include silent marches, exhibitions on Partition, documentary screenings and other commemorative programmes across States and Union Territories. A dedicated quiz on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day has also been made available on the MyGov platform.
The Culture Ministry will coordinate major programmes in Delhi, Kolkata and Amritsar. In Delhi, a theatrical presentation by Sonam Kalra will be organised on August 13, followed by an exhibition on Partition, documentary screenings and a silent march on August 14 led by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and other dignitaries.
In Kolkata, events at the New Town Convention Centre will include an exhibition, documentary screening and silent march, with similar observances planned at district headquarters across West Bengal.
In Amritsar, the programme will feature the theatrical performance “Mittar Pyare Nu” by the Harpal Tiwana Centre, along with an exhibition, documentary screening and silent march. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will lead the observance in the city.
Inviting citizens to participate in the campaign, the Ministry urged people to hoist the National Flag with pride, learn and sing Vande Mataram, take part in community activities and join the nation in remembering the sacrifices that shaped India’s journey to Independence.
