Independence Day 2019: Beating Retreat Celebrated At Attari-Wagah Border With Full Enthusiasm

Thousands of people converged at the Attari-Wagah joint check post between India and Pakistan on Thursday evening to be a part of the celebrations for India's 73rd Independence Day.

The fervour and enthusiasm from Indian side almost drowned out any noise from across the border. (Image: PTI)

Attari: Thousands of people converged at the Attari-Wagah joint check post between India and Pakistan on Thursday evening to be a part of the celebrations for India's 73rd Independence Day. On this day every year, the much enthusiastic Beating Retreat ceremony witnesses a flood of people to see the traditional military exercise that the security forces of India (Border Security Force) and Pakistan (Pakistan Rangers) have been following since 1959. Thought Beating Retreat is a daily exercise, but on Independence Day and Republic Day, the ceremony is celebrated with utmost joy and fervour. Just like every year, even this time the ceremony was a delight to watch with the marching band contingent of the BSF pumped the feeling of national pride and patriotism. The atmosphere at the Attari-Wagah border was all charged up with a large number of Indians came to watch proceedings on the eve of Independence Day. The mood of the people were fueled with patriotism as BSF band master playing to the tunes of "Himmat Watan ki Hamse hai", "Ye Desh hai veer Jawano ka" and other patriotic songs which were loudly applauded by the audience. Dance performances by the groups of men and women, clad in traditional Punjabi attire also stole the show. People were seen taking selfies and capturing the delightful moments on their mobile phones. From children to youngsters to even elders wore a tricolor caps and were seen waving the national flag. People raised the slogan 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' to the top of their voices. The moment security personnel opened the visitors' gallery on the Indian side for the general public, people rushed inside to take the best spot from where to watch the famous Beating Retreat ceremony. As always, it was a houseful event on the Indian side. The fervour and enthusiasm from not just the BSF jawans but also from Indian citizens almost drowned out any noise from across the border. As soon as the Beating Treat process began, security personnel performing the march were massively cheered with chants of Bharat Mata Ki Ji and other patriotic slogans without any inhibitions. The lowering of the flags ceremony also known as the Beating Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border is a daily military practice that the security forces of both India and Pakistan jointly perform. The drill is characterised by elaborate and rapid dancelike manoeuvres and raising legs as high as possible, which have been described as 'colourful'. The ceremony is alternatively a symbol of the two countries’ rivalry, as well as brotherhood and cooperation between the two nations.