Beating Retreat fanfare captivates audiences

Smriti Kak Ramachandran The Hindu- 30 Jan 2010
The colourful ceremony with bands marks the end of Republic Day celebrations
— Photo: Shanker Chakravarty
TRADITION AND GLORY: A view of the Beating Retreat, at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Friday.
NEW DELHI: In the light of the setting sun, men in regalia made music with military precision as they marched down the Raisina Hill on Friday to mark the closure of the Republic Day celebrations.

Under a clear sky and in a patriotic ambience, captivated audiences sat and watched Beating Retreat, the ceremony that dates back to the time when sounding retreat pulled to a halt the day’s fighting.

Led by President Pratibha Patil, also the Supreme Commander of the three Forces, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, the audience sat through a ceremony that elicits a common response of nationalism and pride.

As men on foot and on horse back marched to the beats of drums and pipes, the air was filled with the rendition of different tunes.

Thirty-five bands from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force took part in the ceremony that began with the arrival of the President marked by fanfare by the buglers.

The first march of the massed band was the popular Sam Bahadur followed by the adroit performance of the pipes and drums which had the audiences tapping the feet with their Surya, Sky Boat Song, Pipers Cave, Highland Laddie and The Marquis of Huntly, among others.

The Naval and Air Force Bands, striking in their appearance and confident in their bearing, charged the atmosphere with their repertoire that included Ocean’s Splendour, Bharatiya Navsena, Sky Hawks, Nocturnal Cry, Swatantra Bharat ki Shan and Subroto.

Their tempo set the pace and had the audience applauding several times. Out in the open the acoustical performance was an experience unmatched.

The military bands with their Hanste Lushai, Gangotri, Abhinandan, Dhola-Re-Dhola were as spectacular to the eye as they were an aural treat. Next it was the massed bands again enthralling the audiences that included Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife, Vice- President Hamid Ansari and his wife, Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi and a host of dignitaries. Their quick march to the tunes of Saare Jahan Se Acha brought the curtains down on the ceremony.
Beating Retreat fanfare captivates audiences

Territorial Army (India) recruits men as Officers

Territorial Army (India)

The Territorial Army in India (commonly referred to as TA in India) is an organization of volunteers who receive military training for a few days in a year so that in case of an emergency they can be mobilized for the defence of the country.

It is a second line of defense after the Regular Indian Army; the Indian Territorial Army is not a profession, occupation or a source of employment. It is only meant for those people who are already in mainstay civilian professions, in fact, gainful employment or self-employment in a civil profession is a pre-requisite for joining the Territorial Army.

Join as an Officer in Territorial Army (India)

Selected candidates will be posted in the Lieutenant Rank. This will be treated as a part time job.
Last date for receipt of request for Application – February 15
Last date for receipt of completed Application – March 15
Eligibility
Age – 18 to 42 years
Education – Graduation

How to Apply
Applications are to be sent to the concerned TA Group Headquarters. After processing of applications, the eligible candidates are called for Preliminary Interview Boards held at respective TA Group Headquarters (Pune, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Lucknow). Selected candidates go through the SSB Interview, Medical Board & Police Verification. The successful candidates are granted commission by the President of India.

Ex – Defence service officers may also join the TA. The required to apply directly to Additional Directorate General of Territorial Army and appear before the Board of Officers presided by the Additional Director General of Territorial Army at New Delhi . Selected Officers are to be cleared by the Medical Boards before the officer’s ar granted commission in the TA. All such officers are given the credit of their previous commissioned service on joning the Territorial Army.

Those from Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Lakhdives may apply to

Commander TA,
Group Head Quarters,
Southern Command, Pune.

The request for application shall accompany a self addressed stamped post cover sized 28 x 12 cm enclosing a DD for Rs. 10. The Bio-data indicating the present employment details and monthly remuneration may also be enclosed.
For full procedures and Application Form Click here

Attempt to subvert the Army Judicial & Disciplinary System

Dear Chander,
Sending herewith a link from The Hindu Online, January 29, 2010 for your perusal and dissemination: Antony’s advice to Army Chief irks ex-servicemen - The Hindu Online, January 29, 2010.

Gen Satbir has, indeed, done everyone of us proud in articulating the attempt to subvert the Army Judicial & Disciplinary system. It was very timely and had to be done to support and boost the personal morale of the Army Chief, who has been under tremendous pressure from all quarters.
Regards,
Chris D'Silva
(Capt Christopher Lucian Newman D'Silva IN, Watertown MA 02472, USA)