#Watch: Drone show during the Beating Retreat ceremony

1000 drones lit up the sky in New Delhi as part of the beating retreat celebrations. PM Modi, President Ramnath Kovind and other dignitaries were in attendance as the skies lit up in the hues of the Indian flag.

The drone show has been organised by startup 'Botlab Dynamics' and supported by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and the Department of Science and Technology, the ministry said.

The drones are being operated by a startup from IIT-Delhi who has worked for the last six years to put up the magnificent performance. The beating retreat also included spectacular army formations and music. The crowds were limited due to the pandemic and relevant restrictions.

All these drones are made in India. The 10-minute show has been conceptualised, designed, produced and choreographed under the Centre's 'Make in India' initiative.

“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.

“I am also happy to share that the entire funding was done by the science and technology ministry. IIT alumni have worked on it (drones) for 6 months,” the minister said.

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Significance of ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony

The military tradition began in 17th century England, when King James II ordered his troops to beat drums, lower flags and organise a parade to announce the end of a day of combat.

The ceremony was then called ‘watch setting’ and took place at sunset after firing a single round from the evening gun.

Beating the Retreat also marks the last ceremony of the nation’s Republic Day celebrations, which started on January 23 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiling the hologram statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate.

(With inputs from ANI)