Beating the Retreat Ceremony ends at Vijay Chowk

The Beating the Retreat ceremony took place at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Sunday. On this special occasion, music bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force, State Police and Central Armed Police Forces played 29 classical tunes in front of the President. The program ended with the tune of Saare Jahan Se Accha. After this, the national flag was lowered with full respect. After this permission was sought from the President of the three service chiefs to take the army bands. The band left the venue as soon as permission was granted.
With this, the Republic Day programs came to an end. Despite heavy rain, a large number of people were present to witness the ceremony. On this occasion, all the major buildings of Delhi were illuminated with colourful lights.
According to the Defense Ministry, 29 tunes were played at the 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony by music bands from the three wings of the military and state police and CAPFs. The function started with Agniveer Dhun. Defense Ministry said Army and police force played enchanting tunes like 'Almora', 'Kedarnath', 'Sangam Door', 'Satpura Ki Rani', 'Bhagirathi', and 'Konkan Sundari'. In these, the Air Force band played the tunes 'Aparajeya Arjun', 'Charkha', 'Vayu Shakti', and 'Swadeshi'. The Naval Band played the tunes of 'Ekla Chalo Re', 'Hum Ready Hain' and 'Jai Bharti'. The Indian Army band played the tunes of 'Shanknaad', 'Sher-e-Jawan', 'Bhupal', 'Agrani Bharat', 'Young India', 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja', 'Drummers' Call' and 'Aye Mere Watan Ke'. The program ended with the tune of 'Saare Jahan Se Accha'.
Before this, President Draupadi Murmu reached the ceremony. He was saluted by the army units. The ceremony started with the national anthem. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, PM Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, CDS General Anil Chauhan and the chiefs of the three armies were also present in the ceremony.
The event will witness the country's biggest drone show which will include 3,500 indigenous drones. The drone show will light up the sky over Raisina Hills. Drones will weave myriad forms of national figures/events through synergy. The show will showcase the success of the startup ecosystem and the technological prowess of the youth of the country and show the way forward. Botlabs Dynamics will organize the Drone Show.
Beating the Retreat symbolizes the return of the army to the barracks. The President of India is the chief guest at this function. As soon as the President arrives, the National Anthem Jana-Gana-Mana starts by giving him the National Salute, and the tricolour is hoisted. After this, the bands of the three services march together to the traditional tune. The bugle of retreat sounds after the band playing of all three armies. After this, the bandmaster goes to the President and asks for permission to take the band back.
The tradition of the Beating Retreat Ceremony dates back to the time of the kings and emperors. When the war was announced after sunset. As soon as the bugle was blown, the soldiers stopped fighting and retreated. This tradition is more than 300 years old. Apart from India, beating retreat ceremonies are held in many countries of the world including Britain, Canada, and America. It started in India in the 1950s.