Beating Retreat ceremony celebrates 150 years of Vande Mataram

Patriotic tunes echoed across Raisina Hill during the Beating Retreat ceremony, marking the conclusion of Republic Day celebrations. The event, presided over by President Droupadi Murmu, also commemorated 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'

New Delhi: Patriotic tunes such as ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’, ‘Vijay Bharat’ and others filled the air at the Raisina Hill during the Beating Retreat ceremony on Thursday, which also celebrated 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’.

The ceremony is being presided over by President Droupadi Murmu, who arrived at the venue in a traditional buggy to the sound of bugles, adding ceremonial grace to the occasion.

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The marquee annual event marks the closure of Republic Day celebrations.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and the three service chiefs, among other dignitaries, are present on the occasion.

The ceremony kicked off with a band marching down Raisina Hill, playing ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’ to add to the patriotic fervour.

A piped band then played a medley, with its members standing in various formations to mark landmark occasions and events such as 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, the Gaganyaan mission and ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’.

A CAPF band then played ‘Vijay Bharat’, which celebrates India’s rise and its culture and heritage.

Big screens have been installed at the venue, beaming live images of the ceremony. They also carried symbolic images of 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘the Gaganyaan mission’ and ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’.