The 76th Republic Day celebrations came to an end on Wednesday with an inconic Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijaya Chowk, New Delhi. The ceremony saw synchornised performances by the personnel of three armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces as the Republic Day celebrations culminated against the majestic background of a setting sun.
From 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja' and 'Aye Watan Tere Liye' to 'Ganga Jamunaand Bharat Ke Jawan' — bands from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), Navy, and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) played 30 foot-tapping tunes, leaving the audience mesmerised. The principal conductor of the ceremony was Commander Manoj Sebastian.
President Droupadi Murmu arrived in the traditional six-horse open carriage for the Beating Retreat ceremony. The crowd cheered as her gold-plated buggy rolled down the Raisina Hill.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar. PM Modi later briefly walked towards the gathering and waved to the attendees.
The ceremony began with the massed band's Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja tune, followed by several numbers such as Amar Bharati, Indradhanush, Jai Janam Bhumi, Nati in Himalayan Valley, Ganga Jamuna and Veer Siachen by the Pipes and Drums band.
The CAPF bands played Vijay Bharat, Rajasthan Troops, Aye Watan Tere Liye, and Bharat ke Jawan.
The IAF band played Galaxy Rider, Stride, Rubaru and Millennium Flight Fantasy tunes, while the Navy band played Rashtriya Pratham, Nishak Nishpad, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Spread the Light of Freedom, Rhythm of the Reef and Jai Bharati.
Thereafter, the Army band played the tunes Veer Sapoot, Taqat Watan, Mera Yuva Bharat, Dhruv and Faulad Ka Jigar, followed by Massed Band's Priyam Bharatam, Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon and Drummers Call tunes. The event concluded with the Buglers playing the ever-popular tune Sare Jahan Se Acha.
Every year since 1955, this ceremony is held after the Republic Day, following a tradition wherein troops cease fighting, withdraw from the battlefield, and return to their camps at sunset as the retreat is sounded.
The first Beating Retreat ceremony was in India during Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's state visit in 1955. It was commissioned by then-prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.