Beating Retreat: A Grand Finale to India’s Republic Day

India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations concluded with the melodious Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi.

New Delhi, January 30, 2025 — The majestic backdrop of the setting sun over the Raisina Hills provided a stunning scene as the iconic Vijay Chowk came alive with the sounds of Indian music during the Beating Retreat ceremony. This event marked the conclusion of the 76th Republic Day celebrations on January 29, 2025.

The bands of the Indian Army (IA), Indian Navy (IN), Indian Air Force (IAF), and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) performed 30 lively Indian tunes in front of a distinguished audience. Attendees included President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, along with other Union Ministers, senior officials, and members of the public.

The ceremony began with the massed band’s ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’ tune, followed by captivating tunes such as ‘Amar Bharati,’ ‘Indradhanush,’ ‘Jai Janam Bhumi,’ ‘Nati in Himalayan Valley,’ ‘Ganga Jamuna’ and ‘Veer Siachen’ by the Pipes & Drums band. The CAPF bands played ‘Vijay Bharat,’ ‘Rajasthan Troops,’ ‘Aye Watan Tere Liye and ‘Bharat Jawan.’

Galaxy Rider, Stride, Rubaru, and Millennium Flight Fantasy were the tunes played by the band IAF. In contrast, the IN band played ‘Rashtriya Pratham,’ ‘Nishak Nishpad,’ ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,’ ‘Spread the Light of Freedom,’ ‘Rhythm of the Reef’ and ‘Jai Bharati.’ It was followed by an IA band, which played ‘Veer Sapoot,’ ‘Taqat Watan,’ ‘Mera Yuva Bharat,’ ‘Dhruv,’ and ‘Faulad Ka Jigar.’

The Massed Bands performed the songs ‘Priyam Bharatam,’ ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon,’ and ‘Drummers Call.’ The event concluded with the beloved tune ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’ played by the Buglers.

Commander Manoj Sebastian was the principal conductor of the ceremony. Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Bishan Bahadur conducted the IA band. M. Antony, MCPO MUS II, and Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar conducted the Indian Navy (IN) and Indian Air Force (IAF) bands, respectively. Head Constable GD Mahajan Kailash Madhava Rao conducted the CAPF band.

The Pipes and Drums band performed under Subedar Major Abhilash Singh, while Naib Subedar Bhupal Singh led the Buglers.