New Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu met personnel of the Tri-Service Band contingents who participated in the Republic Day Parade and Beating Retreat Ceremony 2024

President Murmu expressed her pleasure while meeting the personnel of the Tri-Service Band contingents and hailed them for their exceptional  presentation.

The music bands of Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) played 31 captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes before a distinguished audience.

The Beating Retreat ceremony was attended by President Droupadi Murmu, Supreme Commander of the armed forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh among other union ministers.

President Droupadi Murmu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Beating Retreat Ceremony of 2024 at Vijay Chowk, New Delhi. The ceremony marked the culmination of 75th Republic Day celebrations. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President Droupadi Murmu

Attended the Beating Retreat Ceremony earlier this evening. pic.twitter.com/wPKnyLf8lC

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2024

The bands played the tunes ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’, ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’ and ‘Drummers Call’. The vibrant event came to an end with the ever-popular tune of ‘Sare Jahan se Acha’.

Some more glimpses from the Beating Retreat Ceremony... pic.twitter.com/6NYNoDbCHx

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2024

Beating Retreat’ traces its origins to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands.

It marks a centuries-old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat. Colors and standards are cased and flags are lowered.