NEW DELHI: Incessant rain, coupled with hazy conditions over Raisina Hills, proved a dampener as the Republic Day celebrations culminated with the Beating Retreat ceremony, amid a mix of patriotic renditions and drum beats at Vijay Chowk.1/20Beating Retreat ceremony: History & significanceShow Captions<p>The ceremony was started in 1955 and since then the event has been a regular event after the Republic Day.</p><p>Beating Retreat ceremony was held at the historic Vijay Chowk on Sunday.<br /></p><p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves at the crowd ahead of the Beating Retreat ceremony on Sunday. </p><p>President Droupadi Murmu received by PM Modi and other minister on her arrival at Vijay Chowk for the Beating Retreat ceremony on Sunday.</p><p>The Beating Retreat ceremony traces its origins to the early 1950s.</p><p>In 1950s, Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands.</p><p>It marks a centuries-old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat. </p><p>Colours and Standards are cased and flags lowered.<br /></p><p>The Beating Retreat ceremony officially marks the end of Republic Day celebrations. </p><p>Foot-tapping music marked the beginning of the ceremony with the arrival of President Droupadi Murmu.<br /></p><p>The ceremony is conducted on the evening of 29 January, the third day after the Republic Day.<br /></p><p>The event marks the performance by the bands of the three wings of the military and bands of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the Delhi Police.<br /></p><p>The ceremony is held at at Vijay Chowk near the North and South block of the Central Secretariat towards the end of Kartavya Path.<br /></p><p>The ceremony was started in 1955 and since then the event has been a regular event after the Republic Day.<br /></p><p>The President of India is the chief guest of the event.<br /></p><p>PM Modi greets crowd after the Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk on Sunday. </p><p>As a protocol, the guests are allowed to leave the venue only after the president has left. </p><p>The President House, North Block and South Block are decorated with colourful lights after the event. </p><p>The South Block and North Block decorated with colourful lights after the Beating Retreat ceremony on Sunday. </p><p>Despite rain, people continued to hold their seats and moved only after the event ended. </p>President Draupadi Murmu, vice-president Jagdeep Dhankar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Rajnath Singh were in attendance even as bands of the three services livened up the atmosphere somewhat.While the silhouette of buglers on North and South blocks and the patent crimson sky got shrouded in the gloomy weather, illuminated drums played by bands of the three services drew loud cheers. “Agniveer” was the first of the tunes played at the event this year, followed by a series of others that invoked the spirit of patriotism.The Indian Air Force band presented a more Indianised flavour in music and percussions, even as the Army rendered the flute version of “Teri Mitti”. The Navy band played music on the lines of drumline, apart from the formal military marching, with by the armed forces also performing dancing steps. The “Charkha” music and a flavour of “Vaishnav Janato” kept the audience enthralled.The themes of “ Aatmanirbharta” and formations of “Make in India” and “75 years of independence” were also on full display. Both the tunes were composed by Flt Lt LS Rupachandra, who was also the principal conductor of the Beating Retreat.While several sections bore a deserted look, many spectators who braved the chilly weather and rain were disappointed when the the drone show and 3D anamorphic projection was cancelled due to the bad weather. According to the government, for the first time, 3,500 drones were supposed to be a part of the country’s biggest drone show.Aryan Kumar (11) said: “I was looking forward to witnessing the drone show first hand. I had seen the photos from last year and wanted to be here this time. It was only towards the end of the event that it was announced that the show won’t take place.”While some managed to procure the raincoats that were being distributed, others resorted to using brochures and shawls above their heads to beat the conditions. But with the weather taking a turn for the worse, many chose to leave mid-way.Rajveer Singh, a 45-year-old businessman who was there with his family of four, said: “Even though it had been drizzling for quite some time, we thought that we could make it till the end. However, it looks like the situation is not improving and considering the dip in temperature, it is probably a better idea to leave.”At the end of the ceremony, PM Modi did his customary walk, waving to the audience, drawing loud cheers.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/rain-forces-a-hasty-retreat-at-vijay-chowk/articleshow/97424545.cms