As part of the Republic Day celebrations, the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony is set to take place today at the iconic Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. Featuring music bands from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), the event promises to showcase 31 captivating Indian tunes.
Kicking off with the Shankhnaad tune by the massed band, the ceremony will enchant spectators with melodies like ‘Veer Bharat,’ ‘Sangam Dur,’ ‘Deshon ka Sartaj Bharat,’ and ‘Bhagirathi’ performed by the Pipes and Drums band. The CAPF bands will contribute tunes including ‘Bharat Ke Jawan’ and ‘Vijay Bharat.’ Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force band will present ‘Tiger Hill,’ ‘Rejoice in Raisina,’ and ‘Swadeshi,’ while the Indian Navy band will delight the audience with renditions such as ‘INS Vikrant,’ ‘Mission Chandrayaan,’ ‘Jai Bharati,’ and ‘Hum Tayyar Hain.’ The Indian Army band will captivate with tunes like ‘Faulad Ka Jigar,’ ‘Agniveer,’ ‘Kargil 1999,’ and ‘Taqat Watan.’ The grand finale will feature the Massed Bands performing ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja,’ ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon,’ and ‘Drummers Call,’ concluding with the beloved melody of ‘Sare Jahan se Acha.’
The tradition of Beating Retreat dates back to the early 1950s, credited to Major Roberts of the Indian Army, who developed this unique ceremony of display by the massed bands. It symbolizes a centuries-old military tradition, marking the end of the day’s activities as troops cease fighting, sheathe their arms, and withdraw from the battlefield at sunset.
In preparation for the event, the Delhi Traffic Police has made extensive arrangements to ensure smooth traffic flow. Traffic restrictions will be enforced from 2 pm to 9.30 pm, with Vijay Chowk closed to general traffic. Additionally, Rafi Marg, Raisina Road, and Kartavya Path will have restricted access during the ceremony. Commuters are advised to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra time to avoid inconvenience.