New Delhi: The Beating Retreat ceremony, marking the end of Republic Day celebrations, will unfold at Vijay Chowk in Delhi on Monday evening. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Cabinet ministers, and other dignitaries will witness the event.
The music bands of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are set to enchant the audience with 31 captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Ministers, and other senior officials will join the gathering.
Commencing with the massed band’s ‘Shankhnaad’ tune, the ceremony will feature compositions such as ‘Veer Bharat,’ ‘Sangam Dur,’ ‘Deshon ka Sartaj Bharat,’ ‘Bhagirathi,’ and ‘Arjuna’ by the Pipes and Drums band. The CAPF bands will contribute to the atmosphere with performances like ‘Bharat Ke Jawan’ and ‘Vijay Bharat,’ among other rousing numbers. The ceremony holds historical significance, reflecting on memories of the past.
The Republic Day parade on January 26 witnessed a symbolic opening with 100 women blowing conch shells and playing traditional Indian instruments on Kartavya Path. These women, representing various forces, showcased their skills in a display of duty, with 265 women from the CRPF, SSB, and ITBP participating.
The theme of this year’s Republic Day Parade was ‘India: Mother of Democracy’ and ‘Viksit Bharat.’ French President Emmanuel Macron graced the occasion as the chief guest on Republic Day.
Beating Retreat
The Beating Retreat in Bharat is an official ceremonial event that marks the conclusion of Republic Day festivities. Scheduled on the evening of January 29, the third day after Republic Day, this event is orchestrated by Section D of the Ministry of Defence. It features performances by military bands representing the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, as well as pipe bands from the Army. Since 2016, it also includes a massed formation of bands from the Central Armed Police Forces and the Delhi Police.
The venue for Beating Retreat is Raisina Hills, including the adjacent square known as Vijay Chowk. Positioned between the North and South blocks of the Central Secretariat and flanked by the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s Palace) towards the end of Rajpath, this location provides a picturesque setting for the ceremony.
The origins of Beating Retreat can be traced back to 17th-century England during the reign of King James II. At that time, troops were ordered to beat drums, lower flags, and organize a parade to signify the end of a day of combat. This ceremonial practice, initially termed ‘watch setting,’ occurred at sunset following the firing of a single round from the evening gun.
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