[Watch] Dazzling Drone & Laser Show In ‘Beating The Retreat’ Captures India’s Imagination

New Delhi: A dazzling drone and laser show was the highlight of ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony, which marked the end of Republic Day celebrations here on Saturday evening.

As India prepares to celebrate 75 years of Independence, the spectacular 10-minute show captured Indian freedom movement’s glorious history. The made-in-India drones, with laser, formed various formations related to India’s history in the backdrop of synchronized music.

Watch snippets from the show in this video tweeted by ANI:

A part of Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, the show was conducted by a startup ‘Botlab Dynamics’, supported by IIT-Delhi and Department of Science & Technology.

“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 fourth country in the world after UK, Russia and China to have achieved this feat,” Union Minister Jitendra Singh said ahead of the ceremony.

“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 added.

With the likes of PM Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and Defence minister Rajnath Singh present at Vijay Chowk — for the traditional military ceremony that marks disengagement of troops from the battle at sunset — Army bands played the ‘Veer Sainik’ tune, followed by Pipes and Drums Band, CAPF Band, Air Force Band, Naval Band, Army Military Band and Massed Bands.