In the presence of Governor OP Kohli Republic Day celebration concluded with Beating Retreat at Motilal Nehru stadium on Friday.
At the start of the programme national anthem was played in honour of Governor OP Kohli. later in the programme police brass band performed 10 Hindi and English classics.
Three bands march past during the programme and performed in group and as individual bands. Beating Retreat is an ancient tradition of army and special armed forces.
'Beating the Retreat' has emerged as an event of national pride when the Colours and Standards are paraded. 'Beating Retreat' marks a centuries old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat. Colours and Standards are cased and flags lowered. The ceremony creates nostalgia for the times gone by.
Bhopal is the only place apart from Delhi where Beating Retreat programme is organised.
The event concluded with the performance of ‘ Sare Jahan se Accha’ and march past was done. After the national anthem fire crackers were lit.
On the occasion Chief Secretary BP Singh, DGP Rishi Shukla, senior officials were present.
March past by Madhya Pradesh police band, police pipe band and Mass band was done. Seventh battalion of SAF at Bhopal maintains police band school.