Beating Retreat ceremony is being held this evening at the Vijay Chowk in the National capital. It marks the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations. AIR correspondent reports, for the first time bands from the Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Force will be played at the ceremony.<br/><br/>Beating Retreat has emerged as an event of national pride when the Colours and Standards are paraded. The ceremony traces its origins to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands. This year, 15 Military Bands, 18 Pipes and Drums Bands from Regimental Centres and Battalions are participating in the ceremony. <br/><br/>Besides one each of Indian Navy and Indian Air Force band will also form part of the event. In view of the ceremony, Delhi Traffic Police has made elaborate arrangements. Vijay Chowk will remain closed today for general traffic in the evening time. The entry and exit at Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat Metro Stations will also remain closed from 2 PM to 6.30 PM.

Beating the Retreat ceremony is being held this evening at the Vijay Chowk in the National capital. It marks the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations. This year, 15 Military Bands, 18 Pipes and Drums Bands from Regimental Centres and Battalions are participating in the ceremony.<br/><br/>Besides one each of Indian Navy and Indian Air Force band will also form part of the event. For the first time bands from the State Police and Central Armed Police Force will be performing at the ceremony. <br/><br/>In view of the ceremony, Delhi Traffic Police has made elaborate arrangements. In its advisory, it said, Vijay Chowk will remain closed today for general traffic from 3.30 PM to 9.30 PM. The traffic will not be allowed on the streches on Rafi Marg and Raisina Road. The entry and exit at Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat Metro Stations will remain closed from 2 PM to 6.30 PM.