Bhopal: The “Beating the Retreat” ceremony concluded today at the Motilal Nehru Stadium with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as the chief guest. Chief Minister Chouhan took part in the ceremony accompanied by his wife. Republic Day celebrations concluded here today with melodious performances by the police band on songs spreading patriotic fervour like “Ai Vatan, Mere Watan, Aabad Rahe Tu’, ‘Mera Rang De Basanti Chola’, ‘Ai mere watan ke logon, zara aankh mein bhar lo pani’ and lively and a glorious march past on tunes like ‘Taqat watan ki humse hai’, Maa tujhe salaam’ ‘Sare jahan se acchha etc.
The ceremony began with the national anthem and welcoming of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan followed by combined delightful performances by the Brass and Pipe band of Madhya Pradesh Police. The lively and glorious march past with musical performances mesmerized everyone. Finally, the band marched past to the tune of “Saare Jahan Se Achcha”. Colourful lighting and spectacular fireworks added to the splendour at the venue.
Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains, Director General of Police Vivek Johri, Additional Director General of Police SAF Milind Kanaskar, Additional Chief Secretary Home Dr. Rajesh Rajaura and other senior officers, retired senior police officers, etc. were present.
Corona martyrs remembered
The Police band played ‘Ai Mere Watan ke logon, zara aankh mein bhar lo pani, jo shaheed huye hain unki zara yaad karo qurbani” in honour and remembrance of the Corona martyrs.
What is beating the retreat
“Beating the Retreat” is a long-standing ancient tradition of paramilitary forces. When troops returned to their camps at sunset in the midst of the war, the band would play tunes for recreation to reduce the stress of war. In India, ‘Beating the Retreat’ marks the formal conclusion of Republic Day celebrations.
Madhya Pradesh – the only state to organize Beating the Retreat
Madhya Pradesh is the only state in the country to organize ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony. It is organized by the police in the capital Bhopal on 29 January every year. At the national level, ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony takes place at Vijay Chowk in Raisina Hills in New Delhi in which combined march past is performed by the band teams of Indian Army, Air Force and Navy.
