New Delhi: Vijay Chowk in the national capital is witnessing a grand Beating Retreat ceremony today with music bands of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the State Police and the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) playing captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Draupadi Murmu arrived to witness the spectacular event which marks the formal end of Republic Day celebrations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, along with his wife Sudesh Dhankhar were also present at the Vijay Chowk.
The ceremony began with the massed band’s ‘Agniveer’ tune which, followed by enthralling tunes like ‘Almora’, ‘Kedar Nath, ‘Sangam Dur’, ‘Queen of Satpura’, ‘Bhagirathi’, ‘Konkan Sundari’ by Pipes and Drums band.
Indian Air Force’s band played ‘Aprajey Arjun’, ‘Charkha’, ‘Vayu Shakti’, ‘Swadeshi’, while ‘Ekla Cholo Re’, ‘Hum Taiyyar Hai’, and ‘Jai Bharati’ was played by the band of Indian Navy. The Indian Army’s band played ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’, ‘Shankhnaad’, ‘Agranee Bharat’, ‘Sher-e-Jawan’, ‘Bhupal’, ‘Young India’, ‘Drummers Call’, and ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’.
Mega Drone show to light up sky
The event will witness the country’s biggest Drone Show, comprising of 3,500 indigenous drones. The drone show will light up the evening sky over the Raisina hills, depicting the success of the startup ecosystem, technological prowess and pave the way for future path-breaking trends. The drone show will be organised by Botlabs Dynamics.
A 3D anamorphic projection will be organised for the first time during the ceremony on the facade of the North and South Block.
The ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony is held every year at the Vijay Chowk on January 29 to mark the culmination of the four-day Republic Day celebrations.
