Today India is celebrating 80th Independence day. All the social media accounts to Government office to many public places has been painted with tri-color. Everyone is celebrating the occasion in their own way. People feel patriotic on August 15 because it is India's Independence Day. It marks the exact date in 1947 when India won freedom from British rule after a long, hard fight. Today's occasion reminded me of my first visit to Wagah border last year. It is obvious to remember the Attari-Wagah border ceremony during Independence Day because it is a powerful, highly visible live symbol of national pride, sovereignty, and military discipline. I am lucky one to be attend the beating retreat ceremony.
The Wagah-Attari border is the only operational road transit crossing between India and Pakistan. Located on the historic Grand Trunk Road between Amritsar and Lahore, it serves as a powerful geopolitical symbol of Partition, a vital channel for limited bilateral trade, and the stage for the famous daily Beating Retreat ceremony.
I believe many of the Indians would like to attend the function that happens every single day. The Beating Retreat Ceremony is Conducted daily since 1959 by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistan Rangers. It features a synchronized, aggressive marching, dramatic high kicks, and loud vocal calls. The ceremony concludes at sunset with a brief, respectful handshake between rival guards and the simultaneous lowering of both national flags. One can feel an intense display of national pride, mutual rivalry, and cooperative theater. I was stunned at the end of 3hrs. I was filled with patriotic feeling.
Admission to attend this ceremony is completely free. People whosoever visit Amritsar would love to add this place in their tour itinerary. There is a huge arena that can accommodate thousands of spectators. However there are some reservation for the VIP guest or family of the army personal and government agency. We manage to get some free passes which allows us to seat near to the border gate that separate India and Pakistan.
This was my first visit and I am unaware of the process. We do not want to miss out on the action, so we made all the effort to reach the place early. But seems it was too early for us, as there was none at both sides. Neither there were any Pakistan spectator not the Indian. Still we were feeling the place. All the time we were looking at the other side of the border. Pakistan remain our close neighbour since partition. There was a unique excitement to see the people from other side of the wire.
| India | Pakistan |
It does not take long to see the empty chairs filling with people. The VIP guest were made to seat closer to the main road, whereas the common spectator were allowed to seat in the big staircases made along both the sides. It was huge place and looks like a big amphitheater from the Roman era. We have a huge Indian flag waving right at the top.
Eatables were not allowed from outside. But local vendors sell some snacks and soft drinks. There charges were on the higher side. They carry their stuff and sell them to the audiences on their seat. Soon our area were filled with many visitors. There were some schools students groups too who came to attend the ceremony.
Soon the atmosphere at the Attari-Wagah Border gets electric, loud, and intensely patriotic. The place start buzzing with loud Bollywood and patriotic songs boom from massive loudspeakers before the parade begins, with crowds especially women and children invited to dance and wave the national flag near the enclosure. Driven by roaring crowds, blaring patriotic music, and high energy synchronized military drills by the Border Security Force (BSF), the event creates an overwhelming wave of collective adrenaline and goosebumps for spectators.
There was an army man, who was quite electrifyin in pumping the crowd. he was managing all the activity at the centre. Meanwhile, the other side of the border, still awaits for the spectator. There were few attendee sitting lowly on their seats.
After involving the crowd, it was time of the army personals to parade. s soldiers stamp their feet and kick high into the air, the crowd screams louder to match the dramatic display. Both the Indian and Pakistani sides try to out-shout each other across the border gate, creating a festive yet competitive stadium like atmosphere.
During the Attari–Wagah border ceremony, the audience behaves with intense patriotic fervor, transforming the bleachers into a loud, high-energy stadium. Spectators dance to loud patriotic music, wave national flags, and roar matching slogans to cheer for their respective country’s soldiers. When the actual bugles blow and the flags lower in sync, the massive crowd shifts from chaotic cheering to focused, respectful attention. At the end, all the spectator get down to the main arena to click picture with the soldiers. The soldiers too happily meet and greet each of the spectator. We too get into the crowd. The Ceremony ended on a happy note and it was time to leave the place. One more time I take a look at Pakistan, from as near as possible. and then follow the crowd towards the exit gate.
Attending the Beating retreat ceremony is once in a lifetime opportunity
A designated master of ceremonies leads the stands in thunderous rounds of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai," "Vande Mataram," and "Jai Hind," with the audience trying to out-shout the competing noise echoing from the Pakistani side. It was quite intense and patriotic to be at the place. I was thrilled to be part of the ceremony.
In good faith - Peace!!
