Beating The Retreat at Wagah Border
The news Channels oftentelecast the changing of the guards and the ceremonial lowering of the flags at the Wagah border. I got a chance to witness this ceremony called "Beating the Retreat" when I had been to
We were staying in an Airforce holiday home in
The border outpost is a sophisticated complex of buildings, roads and barriers on both sides. Daily evening at the sunset "Beating the Retreat" ceremony takes place.
It is an interesting scene to witness, performed by the Border Security Forces on the Indian side of the Border and simultaneously by Border Security Forces of Pakistan.
A loud music played patriotic filmy songs and in between the crowd screaming with the patriotic slogans. Few enthusiastic youngsters even dared to dance to the tune of the Bollywood music.
The tall and long-limbed soldiers began marching in perfect drill to the loud commands of their superior, going through the steps of bringing down their respective national flags.
Soldiers from both the countries marched in perfect drill, going through the steps of bringing down their respective national flags. The remarkable feature of the show was not only the perfect drill but the attempt of either forces trying to outdo each other in displaying their rage and disapproval against each other.
The soldiers raised their boots to show the soles to others across the border, the chests were puffed out and almost brushed with the opponent when they arrived face to face. The soldiers stamped the feet hard to produce a crushing sound out of it.
The crowd from either sides cheered with joy and exitement at their heroes in encouragement. Finally, after a lot of exhilaration, the huge gates of both the sides opened and a soldier from either country stepped into the no mans area.
They shook each others hands, saluted each other and lowered the flags of their respective countries with due honour and respects. The crowds from both the countries screamed hilariously the patriotic slogans of Zindabad. Soon after the gates were closed and the crowd started dispersing as it had already started getting darker.
Few of the tall soldiers posed with the visitors willingly.
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