English: The ongoing Navy Week celebrations culminated with a scintillating Beating Retreat and Tattoo Ceremony at the Gateway of India on 04 December 2018, the Navy Day. The Hon'ble Governor of Maharashtra Shri CH Vidyasagar Rao was the Chief Guest at the occasion hosted by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command. An eclectic audience comprising Service officers and dignitaries from various fields witnessed stellar performances by the Indian Naval Band, Sea Cadet Corps cadets, Continuity drill by Naval personnel, Search and Rescue demonstration and flypast by Naval helicopters based at Naval Air Station, INS Shikra.

The ceremony of ‘Beating Retreat’ has its origins in early warfare. The Retreat was sounded every day as a signal to the troops to disengage from combat as daylight faded, ordering them to withdraw to the confines of their encampment for the night. Since then, the ceremony of ‘Beating Retreat’ has become an integral part of military traditions. The custom of ‘Tattoo Ceremony’ encompasses beating the drums within the billeting, ordering the troops to proceed to their quarters.

The Continuity drill performance by the ‘Nauveers’ of 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron was spectacular and mesmerising, as the entire drill sequence was executed without a single word of command. The purpose of performing drill in immaculate turnout in the military is to inculcate essential qualities of endurance, uniformity, military bearing, pride in one self, implicit obedience of orders and above all, to instill unity of purpose and espirit-de-corps.

The Naval aviators with their flying machines displayed clockwork precision. Special heliborne operations were undertaken by Chetak, Seaking and Kamov helicopters and the flypast drew appreciative applause from the large gathering of people all around the Gateway of India.

The dare-devilry and grit of the famed Marine Commandos of the Navy was aptly on display in an exciting raid sequence executed from atop the Gateway of India, while the delightful Hornpipe dance by the young cadets of the Sea Cadet Corps was a crowd favourite.

Later in the evening, the traditional ‘At Home’ reception was hosted by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command at the Navy House.