NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interaction with NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers at the Red Fort on Saturday had a brief but warm moment when he picked up an NCC cadet’s cap after it fell to the ground and placed it back on her head.The moment came as the cadet greeted PM Modi and bent down to touch his feet. As she did so, her cap fell off and landed near Modi.PM Modi immediately picked up the cap and gently put it back on the cadet’s head before continuing the interaction.The brief exchange took place towards the end of the Independence Day celebrations, when Modi broke the security cordon and mingled with young NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers gathered at the Red Fort.The interaction drew attention on social media, with users praising the prime minister for the gesture. One user commented, “video of the day,” while another said the moment showed that “true leadership” could be reflected in small gestures.The interaction came after Modi delivered his 75-minute Independence Day address, in which he repeatedly highlighted the role of young Indians in building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.In his speech, Modi announced free online coaching for competitive exams, an artificial intelligence skilling programme aimed at training one crore youth over the next year and a nationwide sports talent hunt for children aged five to 15.He also announced plans to modernise India’s civil defence system and called for greater participation of young people in areas including manufacturing, technology, innovation, space and nuclear energy.The 80th Independence Day celebrations also marked 150 years of the legacy of ‘Vande Mataram’. For the first time, the national song was rendered during the Red Fort celebrations, with an Army band playing its tune as guests sang along.At the conclusion of the programme, NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers sang ‘Vande Mataram’ followed by the National Anthem. The cadets and volunteers seated along Gyanpath formed the words ‘Vande Mataram’ as part of the celebrations.