Beating the Retreat ceremony held under the chief hospitality of Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel

The ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony was held on Wednesday under the chief hospitality of Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel. With the completion of the programme, the Republic Day celebrations were completed. The ceremony was held at the Lal Parade Ground in Jahangirabad. A total of 33 musical compositions were presented in the programme before the Governor. 12 musical presentations were given in the band concert and 21 in the band display. Restraint, discipline and uniformity were the main attractions of the band presentations.

The Chief Secretary of the State Shri Anurag Jain, Director General of Police Shri Kailash Makwana, Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor Shri K.C. Gupta along with other senior officers, police officers and invited guests were present in the Beating the Retreat ceremony.

Police Brass Band Concert mesmerizes the audience

The Police Brass Band welcomed Governor Shri Patel by playing a tune on his arrival at the “Beating the Retreat” ceremony. The Police Brass Band Concert presented enthralling tunes of patriotic songs and film songs. This caravan of tunes started with “Raag Yaman” under the leadership of Inspector Shri Sunil Katare and moved forward with the tunes of songs like “Ae Watan Watan Mere”, “Pukarta Chala Hoon Main”, “Ye Sham Mastani”, “Teri Mitti”, “Chhookar Mere Man Ko”, “Ye Raat Bheegi Bheegi” and “Yaari Hai Imaan Mera”. During this, one musical performance after another delighted the audience. In the last phase of the concert, as soon as the Police Brass Band played the tune of the song “Jai Ho”, the entire stadium reverberated with thunderous applause.

March past on tunes in Band Display

Band display was organised after the Police Brass Band Concert. In this, after the Massed Band, Police Pipe Band and Police Brass Band, the Massed Band again gave performances. In these, the march past was done on the tunes of the band in Fanfare, Quick March, Entry March, Slow March and Exit March. The listeners were overwhelmed by the delightful tunes of melodious songs. Before the retreat, the Massed Band presented drum roll. At the end of the programme, the jawans marched past on the tune of the song “Saare Jahan Se Achcha” presented by the band.

At the end of the programme, the national flag was taken down by the women police force. The national flag was taken down with respect after saluting and was kept safe. Attractive and grand fireworks were done to display the enthusiasm, joy and excitement of the colorful programme.

Besides Delhi, Beating the Retreat is held only in Bhopal

In India, “Beating the Retreat” is a symbol of the end of the Republic Day celebrations. Every year, “Beating the Retreat” is organised on the evening of 29 January, i.e. on the third day of Republic Day. With this programme, the Republic Day programmes in the national capital Delhi formally conclude. Among the states, the “Beating the Retreat” ceremony is organised only in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh.

It is worth mentioning that “Beating Retreat” is an ancient military tradition, as soon as the bugle calls for “Retreat” in a war, the fighting soldiers would put down their weapons and leave the battlefield. The colours, standard covers and flags used in the war were taken down at the “Retreat”.