For the first time, a 10-minute drone show involving around 1,000 drones fabricated utilising indigenous technology will be a part of the Beating Retreat ceremony today.
“A novel drone show will be one of the major attractions of this year’s ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony. For the first time, the show has been made a part of the ceremony to commemorate 75 years of Independence, being celebrated as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’,” the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement.
The show has been conceptualised, designed, produced and choreographed under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Synchronised background music will also be played during the drone show. The drone show has been organised by a startup ‘Botlab Dynamics’ and supported by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Department of Science & Technology.
In addition to this, the MoD said that another attraction of the ceremony would be a projection mapping show to commemorate 75 years of independence. The show, of around three to four minutes duration, will be showcased on the walls of North and South Block before the end of the ceremony.
It’s also informed that a total of 26 musical performances will enthrall the spectators with foot-tapping music played by the bands of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
“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,” it said.
Several new tunes have been added to provide zing 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’.
The ceremony will be presided by President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Ram Nath Kovind at the historic Vijay Chowk. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will also witness the show.
Team BharatShakti