The Beating Retreat ceremony, held on Friday, 29 January, concluded the four day long Republic Day celebrations. Like each year, the ceremony was held at Vijay Chowk with band participants from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Airforce.
The ceremony showcased 26 music ensembles including a composition titled 'Swarnim Vijay' to commemorate 50 years of India's victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, reported PTI.
The ceremony traces its origins to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands.
The ceremony starts with the arrival of President of India with his bodyguard, who then starts the ceremony with a national salute, followed by the singing of the Indian National Anthem.
Glimpses of the Beating Retreat ceremony.
Photo Courtesy: Twitter/PM Modi
Fifteen military bands, and another fifteen pipes and drums band from battalions and regimented centres performed at the ceremony on Friday, which concluded with the widely popular ‘Saare Jahan se Acha, Hindustan Humara’ composition.
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the number of seats for the Beating Retreat ceremony was reduced from 25,000 to 4,000. Meanwhile, the number of gates for the ceremony was increased from 11 to 20. Moreover, no standing spectators were to be allowed.
‘Beating Retreat’ marks a centuries old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat.
(With inputs from PTI)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)