Port Blair, Jan. 29: Impressive performances by bands of Army, Navy & A&N Police, Colourful cultural programe, illumination of ships and spectacular fire power display formed part of the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony that marked the grand finale of the Republic Day celebration-2024 at the historic Netaji Stadium here this evening. Hon’ble Lt Governor, A&N Islands & Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) was the chief guest. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, CINCAN, Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, AVSM, VM, Director General of Polices, Shri Devesh Chandra Srivastva, IPS, Senior Officers from Defence & Civil Administration and good number of general public witnessed the performance.

The ceremony set out with the bands of Army, Navy and Police including A&N Ladies Police Pipe Band playing popular tunes. This was followed by the lowering of the National Flag.

A combined colourful and mesmerizing cultural programme was presented by school students of GDMS, GSSS, Boys, GSSS Model, GSSS Bhatubasti & Prothrapur School on patriotic theme drew loud applause from the audience present in the Stadium.

As part of the ‘Beating Retreat’, Naval ships at the anchorage fired very’s pistol and the fireworks illuminated the sky in front of the Stadium. This was followed by illumination of ships anchored between Marina Complex and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island. The Beating Retreat ceremony concluded with National Anthem.