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Beating Retreat 2022 ceremony today – Where to watch live, traffic advisory and all other details


Beating retreat ceremony being held in Delhi in January 2021 (Video screengrab: DD Yadagiri/Youtube)&nbsp

New Delhi: The Republic Day week will culminate today with the ceremonial ‘Beating the Retreat’ at the national capital. Ahead of the ceremony, the Delhi Police had issued an advisory with traffic restrictions. This year the event will be marked on a grand scale to commemorate 75 years of Independence – being celebrated as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. President Ram Nath Kovind, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, will be in attendance.

The beating retreat ceremony is slated to be held on Saturday afternoon at Vijay Chowk. The Delhi Police have made elaborate traffic arrangements for the ceremony as well as the illumination of Rashtrapati Bhawan, North Block, South Block and Parliament House. The restrictions will be in place from 2:00 pm to 9:30 pm today.

The entry and exit gates of the Rail Bhawan and Udyog Bhawan/Central Secretariat Metro Stations will remain closed from 02.00 pm to 06.30 PM today. Several buses will also be diverted from their normal routes to facilitate the vehicles of invitees and spectators and avoid congestion. Parking will be available for those coming to see illumination at Vijay Chowk behind the water channels between Rafi Marg and “C” Hexagon after 7:00 pm.

Traffic Restrictions

1. Vijay Chowk will remain closed for general traffic.

2. Traffic will not be allowed on the following stretches:

(a) Rafi Marg between R/A Sunehri Masjid and R/a Krishi Bhawan.

(b) Raisina Road from R/a Krishi Bhawan towards Vijay Chowk.

(c) Beyond R/a Dara Shikoh Road, R/a Krishna Menon Marg and R/A Sunehri Masjid towards Vijay Chowk.

(d) Rajpath between Vijay Chowk and “C” hexagon. 

Commuters have also been advised to take alternate routes such as Ring Road, Ridge Road, Aurobindo Marg, Madarsa ‘T’ Point, Safdarjung Road Kamal Ataturk Marg, Rani Jhansi Road and Minto Road.

With India marking 75 years of Independence this year, this year’s ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony will for the first time feature a drone show involving around 1,000 drones fabricated through indigenous technology. Synchronised background music will also be played during the 10-minute show organised by a startup ‘Botlab Dynamics’ and supported by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and the Department of Science and Technology.

According to the Centre, there would also be a projection mapping show to commemorate 75 years of independence. This will be played on the walls of North and South Block before the end of the ceremony.

“Martial musical tunes with Indian fervour will be the flavour of the ceremony this year. A total of 26 performances will enthral the spectators with foot-tapping music played by the bands of Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF),” informed the Ministry of Defence on Friday.

The entry band will be Massed Band playing the ‘Veer Sainik’ tune. This will be followed by Pipes and Drums Band, CAPF Band, Air Force Band, Naval Band, Army Military Band and Massed Bands. The principal conductor of the ceremony will be Commander Vijay Charles D’Cruz. Several new tunes have been added to the ceremony to celebrate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. These include ‘Kerala’, ‘Hind ki Sena’ and ‘Ae Mere WatanKe Logon’. The event will come to a close with the ever-popular tune of ‘Sare Jahan Se Acha’.

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