Watch: IIT-Delhi’s 1,000 drones light up the sky at Beating the Retreat

The ceremony took place in the presence of President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence minister Rajnath Singh.

The drones formed different formations to narrate the glorious history of India’s freedom struggle.

‘Beating the Retreat’ is a centuries-old military tradition dating from the days when troops disengaged from battle at sunset. 

As soon as the buglers sounded the retreat, the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield. It is for this reason that the custom of standing still during the sounding of retreat has been retained to this day. Colours and standards are cased and flags lowered at retreats.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh had on 21 January announced that the Indian government will host a 1000 drone light show that will exhibit the ‘government’s achievements @75’.

Botlab Dynamics Private Limited, a start-up supported by Technology Development Board, under DST and incubated at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi in association with Ministry of Defence has conceptualized the novel ‘Drone Show’ to commemorate the 75th year of Independence, an official statement had confirmed.

26 musical performances enthralled 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 was Massed Band playing the ‘Veer Sainik’ tune. This was 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 is Commander Vijay Charles D’Cruz.

“It’s a matter of pride that for the first time 1,000 drones will light up the sky during the beating retreat ceremony. India will become the 4th country in the world after UK, Russia and China to have achieved this feat,” Union Minister Jitendra Singh said.