Prime Minister Narendra Modi showered high praise on the artists, musicians, and performers who participated in the iconic Beating Retreat ceremony held on Thursday at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. The event, which traditionally concludes Republic Day celebrations, was presided over by President Droupadi Murmu and carried the overarching theme of 150 years of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’.

In a detailed post on X, Modi described the Army Military Band’s tunes as “excellent” and highlighted the impressive formations that paid tribute to various themes. These included Operation Sindoor, the milestone anniversary of Vande Mataram, India’s women’s cricket triumphs symbolizing Nari Shakti, representations of the Ashni drone, Bhairav battalion, and the historic ‘Garuda Vyuha’ battle array from ancient warfare.

The Prime Minister also commended the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) bands for their vibrant and diverse compositions, which he said reflected deep pride in the nation’s protectors. He singled out the Naval Band’s renditions of pieces such as ‘Namaste’, ‘Sagar Pawan’, ‘Matribhumi’, ‘Tejasvi’, and ‘Jai Bharati’ as “simply outstanding”, while calling the Matsya Yantra formation flawless in execution.

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Modi reserved special appreciation for the Indian Air Force Band, terming their performances of ‘Brave Warrior’, ‘Twilight’, ‘Alert (Post Horn Gallop)’, and ‘Flying Star’ as exceptional. He described the Sindoor formation presented by the Air Force as particularly brilliant, underscoring the overall precision and patriotic spirit displayed throughout the ceremony.

The Beating Retreat 2026 stood out for blending tradition with contemporary tributes, creating a memorable spectacle that resonated with national pride and cultural heritage. The Prime Minister’s words reflect widespread admiration for the dedication and skill of the armed forces and paramilitary bands involved.

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