On
6th November 2013 the two neighbouring countries – India and Bangladesh witnessed a glittering, dazzling and historic Flag
lowering or ‘RETREAT CEREMONY’ at
Petrapole-Benapole border check-post by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in full regalia in which the two
Forces lowered their respective National Flag .
The
function was first planned to be started on 2 October but it was postponed due
to the weather and the commitments of VVIPs of both countries. The 13-minute Retreat Ceremony flagged off on
Wednesday will be part of a new engagement between BSF personnel and their counterparts
the BGB.
The
amusing Retreat Ceremony was
inaugurated jointly by the Union Home Minister of India and the Home Minister
of Bangladesh, it was perhaps for the first time in the entire world that the
border guarding forces of two neighbouring countries have come together to
promote peace, harmony and mutual understanding between the people of both the
countries using their shared culture, rather than encouraging animosity. The
drills at Petrapole (on the Indian side in North 24 Parganas district about 120
KM from Kolkata) and Benapole (on the Bangladesh side in Jessore district) have
been fine tuned to suit to the taste of spectators from both countries as well
as in keeping with the existing cordial and harmonious relations between BSF
and BGB.
The
ceremony at the Petrapole-Benapole border will see BSF and BGB personnel
conduct the drill in unison and synchronized coordination in full regalia, with
the flag-lowering routine carried out before sunset.
The Special Postal Cover issued on 10th January 2012 at Amritsar, Punjab.
The
Retreat Ceremony has been modelled
on the one at Wagah-Attari of India-Pakistan
border post. The Beating Retreat ceremony at Wagah at sunset every evening in
Punjab is marked by aggressive body language and parade by soldiers of BSF and Pakistan Rangers. The daily ceremony attracts hundreds of tourists
every day from all corners of both countries. However, the issue of aggressive
postures at Attari-Wagah Retreat Ceremony
by the troops of both India and Pakistan has been a matter of debate. Efforts
are on for some time to tone down these postures to some extent. Refer Flags and Stamps Wednesday, February 1, 2012
History of Retreat
Ceremony
The
word “Retreat” means the end of a
working day.The ceremony was first held in French Army. The American army
started using this ceremony after the ‘Revolutionary War’. It usually takes place
at sunset. The ceremony is intended to end the duty day and pay respect for the
flags of each other. The retreat is tuned by a band or a bugler. In south Asia
this joint retreat ceremony is being practiced at Wagah of India-Pakistan
border (since 1959).
The
ceremony starts with a blustering parade by the guards from both sides and ends
up in the perfectly coordinated lowering of two national flags. One guard
stands at attention on each side of the gate. As the sun sets, the gates at the
border(s) are opened and the two flags are lowered simultaneously. The flags
are folded and the ceremony ends with a Retreat that involves a brusque
handshake between Commanders from either side, followed by closing of the
gates.
The
essence of this ceremony lies in enhancing the mutual trust, friendship and
cooperation between two border guarding forces in particular, and between
countries, in general. (Source: Brochure of BGB distributed during the
inaugural function)
Note: The editor of the ‘Flags and Stamps’ was present in the VVIP gallery to witness the inaugural
Retreat Ceremony on 6th November 2013 and expressed his gratitude to
the BSF authorities for inviting him to witness this great event. Long live Indo-Bangla friendship. Jai
Hind: Jai Bangla.
Flag lowering at sun set, Retreat ceremony at
Scout's camp, Canada
Related sites;
Magic Kingdom Flag Retreat Ceremony WDW http://temporarytourist.com/magic-kingdom-flag-retreat-ceremony-at-walt-disney-world/
U.S. Flag Customs and Procedures http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/retreat.htm
Rendering honors during Retreat and ‘To The Colors’ continues Army traditions
http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/story.php?id=4405
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