Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan. 29: Impressive performances by bands of Army, Navy & A&N Police, Colourful cultural programme, 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 2026 at the historic Netaji Stadium here this evening. Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency was the chief guest on the occasion. The First Lady of the Islands, Smt. Chitra Joshi, CINCAN, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, AVSM, NM, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, DGP, Shri H.G.S Dhaliwal, IPS, Senior Officers of Defence & Civil Administration, public representatives, good number of general public witnessed the programme. The ceremony set out with the bands of Army, Navy and Police including A&N Lady Police Pipe Band playing popular tunes. This was followed by the lowering of the National Flag.
A combined colourful and mesmerizing cultural programme presented by school students of GSSS Bhatubasti, GSSS Model, SSS Nirmala, GMS Dugnabad 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 Vary’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.