Nation Celebrates Beating Retreat Ceremony at Raisina Hills

Musical Tribute to the Republic

Nation Celebrates Beating Retreat Ceremony at Raisina Hills: On January 29, 2025, the grand Beating Retreat Ceremony took place at Vijay Chowk, New Delhi, concluding the Republic Day festivities with immense patriotic fervour. As the sun set over Raisina Hills, the air was filled with stirring Indian military tunes performed by bands from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). The audience included President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other senior officials.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The Beating Retreat tradition dates back to European military customs when troops ceased battle at dusk and returned to barracks. Introduced in India in the 1950s by Major Roberts, this musical ceremony is now a symbolic end to Republic Day celebrations, filled with nostalgia and ceremonial grandeur. President Murmu arrived in a traditional horse-drawn buggy, a visual tribute to colonial-era traditions.

Celebrating 75 Years of the Constitution

This year’s ceremony marked 75 years since the adoption of the Indian Constitution, and the program reflected people’s participation, unity, and the military’s might. The musical performances celebrated India’s diversity and heritage with a blend of martial, patriotic, and regional melodies, resonating deeply with the crowd.

Highlights of Musical Performances

The ceremony commenced with the massed band’s rendition of “Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja”, followed by powerful tunes like “Amar Bharati”, “Indradhanush”, “Veer Siachen”, and “Ganga Jamuna”. The CAPF bands performed “Vijay Bharat”, “Rajasthan Troops”, and “Bharat ke Jawan”, while the Indian Navy’s band enthralled the audience with “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and “Rhythm of the Reef”. The Air Force band played energetic pieces like “Galaxy Rider” and “Rubaru”. The Indian Army’s band concluded with “Veer Sapoot”, “Dhruv”, and “Faulad Ka Jigar”.

Grand Finale and Key Conductors

The event reached its emotional peak with “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon” and the iconic “Sare Jahan Se Achha” played by buglers during the flag-lowering ceremony. The principal conductor was Commander Manoj Sebastian, with Subedar Major Bishan Bahadur, MCPO M. Antony, and Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar conducting respective military bands. CAPF’s band was led by Head Constable G.D. Mahajan Kailash Madhava Rao.

Technical and Public Arrangements

The Army’s 1 Signal Regiment provided audio-visual coverage through four large screens and sound systems stretching from Vijay Chowk to the National War Memorial, covering around 2 lakh sq. metres. As the national anthem concluded the evening, citizens expressed joy by capturing photographs and sharing the patriotic moment with loved ones.

Static GK Snapshot

Nation Celebrates Beating Retreat Ceremony at Raisina Hills: