Beating Retreat: mammoth drone show planned today

New Delhi, Jan 28 (UNI) The Vijay Chowk area adjacent Raisina hills in New Delhi is all set to witness a swarm of 1000 made in India drones hovering all over the sky during Beating the Retreat ceremony on Saturday evening. The drone show will make India the fourth country, after China, Russia and UK, to carry out such a large scale show with 1,000 drones, said Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh as he interacted with Botlabs Dynamics team members at his residence. The drone show has been organised by a startup Botlab Dynamics and supported by Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and Department of Science and Technology. The occasion will be graced by President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and others. 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. “Synchronised background music will also be played during the drone show,” said Defence Ministry in a statement. “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. 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,” Defence Ministry said. Martial musical tunes with Indian fervour will be the flavour of the ceremony this year. “A number of 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,” the Defence Ministry said. Another attraction in the Beating the Retreat ceremony would be a projection mapping laser show to commemorate 75 years of independence. The show of around 3-4 minutes duration will be showcased on the walls of North and South Block before the end of the ceremony. Beating the Retreat marks an old military tradition in which the troops cease fighting, withdraw from the battlefield and return to their camps at sunset with beats of military bands. The ceremony officially denotes the end of Republic Day festivities in India.