My appointment with Beating Retreat 2016
Being in Delhi for more than three decades, I did not have the opportunity to see the Knockout Retreat ceremony live. Since all the newspapers when reporting on the upcoming event in 2016 declared that this year will be colorful and more musical and that the ceremony during 2016 will be the best. After seeing that report, my wife and I were excited and we don’t want to miss the event this time.
After getting the pass for the show, I was anxiously waiting for the event to take place on January 29, 2016. The scheduled show was supposed to start at exactly 5.30 PM. All the central government offices located around Vijay Chowk were closed and security personnel were occupying the area and the place looked like a war zone. We left our residence around 3 am and arrived at the Patel Chowk subway station at 3.30. At that moment, a lot of people started arriving and headed towards the place. Security was so tight and it appeared that all security personnel were observing the public with suspicion to avoid adverse incidents. After arriving at the site, we discovered that there were three levels of security. This was the first time we went through three level security and we were both feeling a bit nervous.
The sun was about to set. The reflection of the color red lights up the sky. The entire audience was eagerly waiting for the ceremony to begin. The atmosphere was completely silent. All eyes turned to Rastrabathi Bhawan. A white jeep began to approach the stage. Yes, it was the Chief of the Naval General Staff who came first followed by the Air Force and the Chief of the Army. The entire audience cheered as the three chiefs waved their hands towards the crowd.
After a few minutes, the crowd stood at their feet to watch the Prime Minister’s car arrive at the scene. It’s hard to ignore Narendra Modi’s signature half-sleeve kurtas (and churidaars). Your crisp formalities and that pop of color set you apart from other guests. When he waved his hand, the entire audience responded with a roar!
When the president’s cavalcade entered the venus, everyone was excited and the entire crowd waved their hands and the president reciprocated by waving his hand toward the audience.
The Republic Day parade is a wonderful experience and a very proud tradition of our nation. Unlike the previous year, the long-awaited Coup Retreat, which marks the end of the Republic Day festivities, underwent a slight change. The ceremony in Delhi is observed keeping in mind the age-old tradition, according to which the soldiers summoned the end of the war at dusk The ceremony officially marks the end of the Republic Day celebrations.
This year, the ceremony show sparked a new mix of music rather than the long tradition of just military music. Sitar, santoor and tabla will be heard for the first time alongside military bands, these newly introduced percussion instruments have changed the usual cornets, flutes and drums common in the colonial military band show.
For a better viewing of the show for the crowd, LED screens, spider cameras, and surround sound systems were installed.
And at exactly 6pm, the bugles sound the retreat and the National Flag is lowered to the rhythm of the National Anthem and shortly afterwards Rashtrabathi Bhawan, South Block, North Block and all the surrounding government buildings were lit up which led to the Day celebrations. Dominican to a bright and formal atmosphere. end.
The ceremony, like every year, generated nostalgia for times gone by.