The Hindu : A spectacular climax

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 30, 2003

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National

A spectacular climax

By Lakshmi Balakrishnan

Beating Retreat at the Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Wednesday. — Photo: Anu Pushkarna

NEW DELHI JAN. 29. Good old tradition kept its date with the majestic Vijay Chowk here this evening as the country's military bands marched down to musical tunes bidding adieu to the setting sun and adding another chapter to the annual event symbolising the retreat of troops from the battlefield.

Marching in "tune'' with the melodies were the men of the Army, Navy and the Air Force offering a visual spectacle. The ceremony began a little late with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Pres the go-ahead for the grand finale to Republic Day celebrations.

In keeping with the colourful tradition introduced in the 1950s by Indian Army's Major Roberts, the three forces presented musical compositions in combinations of quick, slow, reel and strathspey marches. The military bands presented four new composition this year -- Brave Soldier of the Indian Army, Bharat Rashtra Ka Guarav, Dhola Re Dhola and Utkarsh -- that had the audience asking for more.

With the buglers sounding retreat and the Tricolour being lowered, it was finally time for the armed forces to march back to their camps, this time to the tune of "sare jahan se achcha'', leaving behind an illuminated Rashtrapati Bhavan.

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