Glory, power & splendour on display at 'Beating the Retreat'

New Delhi, Jan 29 (UNI) In military splendour and glory, the nation today witnessed 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony on the occasion of the 61st Republic Day celebrations.

Comes as it does at sunset, the rays of the sun added to the majesty of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Raisina Hills looked resplendent as the services bands played various tunes, many of which were composed in the bygone era.
All said and done, the Retreat is a shadow of the Raj era and despite more than six decades of Independence, the traditions are still maintained.
As many as 35 bands from the Army, Navy and Air Force literally called the tunes at the ceremony. The Army had 27 bands, and Navy and Air Force contributed four bands each.
The salute was taken by President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, in her capacity both as the Head of the State and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
The arrival of the President on a six-door Mercedez Benz was preceded by the Bodyguards of the Head of the Republic.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Defence Minister A K Antony and the three Services Chiefs were there to receive the President.
The President was given a salute on her arrival by the three Services Chiefs-- Chief of Army Staff Deepak Kapoor, Chief of Naval Staff P V Naik and Chief of Air Staff Sureesh Mehta.
The Retreat is a century-old military tradition dating from the days when troops disengaged from battle at sunset. As soon as the buglers sounded the Retreat, the troops seized fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield.
It is precisely for this reason that the custom of standing still during the sounding of Retreat has been retained to this date. Colours and standards are cased and flags lowered at Retreat.
Drum beats are the relic of the days when trooped, billeted in towns and cities, were recalled to their quarters at an appointed time in the evening. Based on these military traditions, the ceremony of the Retreat creates a mood of nostalgia for the times gone by.
This year, nearly 1000 bandsmen drawn from the three wings of the Armed Forces took part in the ceremony.
Both the beginning and end of the ceremony were marked by the playing of the National Anthem.
The military power of the nation was on display, not with guns and ammunition as is done on the Republic Day, but by the power of the services.
It all began with 'Sam Bahadur,' a tune composed in honour of first Field Marshall of India Sam Manekshaw.
The Army's 15 Massed Pipes and Drums Bands played six tunes including 'Surya', which was accompanied by a quick march. The other numbers included 'Sky Boat Song', accompanied by slow march and 'Highland Laddie'.
The most soothing tune was 'Nocturnal Cry,' which was marked by the sound of Bugles located atop the North and South Blocks.
Mahatama Gandhi's favourite tune 'Abide with me' was received well by the spectators at the Vijay Chowk. The hymn pleads with God to be ever present with a person.
To give a human touch to the affair, 16 visually-challenged children from city’s 'Venu Institute of Universal Education' were brought in as special guests as a goodwill gesture.
The departure of the President was again preceded by her Bodyguards who took her permission to depart.
In fact, on display was the might and power of India, not a slow moving country any longer but one which marches briskly and stoutly as the world wonders at its magnificence, glory and its power.