New Delhi:
During the ‘Beating Retreat’ celebrations in the national capital on Wednesday, sweet music and beautiful scenes of the sun set on Raisina Hills mesmerized the audience. This grand program organized at Vijay Chowk is a symbol of the conclusion of the Republic Day celebrations. The program was attended by President Draupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and other Union Ministers.
From “step step step on” and “Ae Watan Tere Liye” to “Ganga Jamuna” and “Jawans of India” Indian Army, Navy, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF )’s band tunes mesmerized people. President Murmu rode in the traditional ‘Baggi’ and reached the venue.
The ceremony began with the collective band’s “Kadam Kadam Kadaye Jaa”, after which “Amar Bharti”, “Indradhanush”, “Jai Janmabhoomi”, “Ganga Jamuna” played the tunes. She went The CAPF band played ‘Vijay Bharat’, ‘Rajasthan Troops’, ‘Ae Watan Tere Liye’ and ‘Jawans of India’. After this, the army band impressed the audience like “Veer Saput”, “Shakti Watan”, “Mera Yuva Bharat”, “Dhruv” and “Faulad Ka Jigar”.
The ceremony ended with the tune of the evergreen popular song “Saare Jahan Se Achcha”, instead by bugle players. In the evening, the Raisina Hills campus looked dazzling with the light of vibrant colors. The Chief Director of the ceremony was Commander Manoj Sebastian. The Director of the Army Band was Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Bishan Bahadur, while S. Antony, MCPO MUS II, and Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar were the operators of the Navy and IAF Band respectively.
The first Beating Retreat ceremony in India was held in 1955 during the state visit of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Since then the ceremony has become an annual event, in which the music and cultural heritage of India are performed.