– Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite hymn, traditionally played at the end of the Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29th, the eve of Gandhi’s death anniversary, has been omitted from this year’s ceremony. Its exclusion in 2020 caused controversy, leading to its reinstatement last year.
– The official list of the 26 tunes to be played in the Beating Retreat ceremony does not include the hymn. It had been a part of the ceremony every year since 1950 but was removed in 2020. The hymn, composed by Henry Francis Lyte and set to the tune of Eventide by William Henry Monk, has been a longstanding tradition.
– The ceremony will commence with the Fanfare by Buglers, followed by Veer Sainik by the Massed Bands, and six tunes by the Pipes and Drums band. The Bands of the Central Armed Police Forces will perform three tunes, followed by four tunes by the Air Force Band, including a special Ladakoo tune by Flight Lt L S Rupachandra.
– The Navy Band will play four tunes, and the Army Military Band will perform three tunes — Kerala, Siki A Mole, and Hind Ki Sena. The Massed Bands will play three additional tunes towards the end, including Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja, Drummers Call, and Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon.
– The ceremony will conclude with Sare Jahan Se Accha by the Buglers. A total of 44 buglers, 16 trumpeters, and 75 drummers will participate in the event.
– Beating Retreat marks the end of the nearly week-long Republic Day festivities, which previously began on January 24 but will now commence on January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. This year, the country is celebrating Bose’s 125th birth anniversary.
