'Abide With Me' Mahatma Gandhi's favourite hymn dropped from Beating Retreat ceremony


New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS): The iconic hymn 'Abide with Me', which was the key part of the Beating Retreat ceremony post Republic Day, has been dropped this year.

The hymn, known to be Mahatma Gandhi's favourite, triggered controversy in 2020 when it did not appear in the list of tunes.

'Abide with Me' is a military tune played after bugle was made to announce post sunset let's pick up injured and dead. It was mutually accepted war discipline across the world.

The tune 'Abide with Me' was played by military bands when the warriors were collecting their bravehearts.

It was rare that this solemn tune was not played during Republic Day.

The Beating Retreat on January 29 post Republic Day has been to pay respect to the fallen heroes. It was never celebration. And, 'Abide with Me' has been a respected tune.

Now with 'Abide with Me' missing in the Beating Retreat ceremony, and displaying of 1,000 drones is something which the forces have never imagined, said a source in the defence ministry. ....And this too when controversy of dousing of eternal flame at India Gate.

The tune 'Abide With Me' has been a regular feature in the band since 1950.

It has been noticed that over last few years, Indian compositions have made way in the military band termed as 'indigenisation' of tradition. Earlier, the force played mostly British martial tunes.

Interestingly, this year, Lata Mangeshkar-sung 'Ae Mere Watan ke logon' is on the list of tunes other than military compositions.

But removing of 'Abide with Me' has been questioned by many.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • sense_shetty, Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 23 2022

    Gandhi and Nehru are British stooges and conspirators of this century,

    DisAgree [7] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru

    Sun, Jan 23 2022

    Time to move beyond

    DisAgree [13] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Amaze, Karkala

    Sun, Jan 23 2022

    tume kare toh chamatkar

    DisAgree [3] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • satish, mangalore

    Sun, Jan 23 2022

    It was dropped in year 2020 itself. This is not new news.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • G R PRABHUJI, Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 23 2022

    Slowly this Government is changing the history of our country. I think to learn all those who have crossed 60 years, it's better to go to learn from LKG to graduation.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • real kujuma, kodial

    Sun, Jan 23 2022

    if chaiwala led, nagpur sponsored govt continues in centre for next 10 years...sada vatsale song sung by chaddis will be our national anthem...Cow will be national animal...and feku will be God

    DisAgree [10] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Karuna, Bengaluru

    Sun, Jan 23 2022

    Dont worry 10 years is a very short period BJP will be in power till 2034. By the time your favourite INC will be history

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sameer, Riyadh

    Sun, Jan 23 2022

    The government says the hymn was 'colonial'' and to 'Indianise' the military. In such a case the drums, bugles and the trumpets should also be dropped. Please get 'dhol' and 'shehnayi'. Stop using the International guns and ammunition. Please stop wearing pants, shirts and shoes. They too go against the Indian tradition. Don't they? Stop using 'English' in your correspondences. Stop using the ranks of 'colonel, sgt, marshal, captain, commander, admiral etc. Stop the custom and tradition of 'salute' in the march past.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • Evans C Sumitra, Udupi/New York, USA.

    Sun, Jan 23 2022

    Sameer Riyadh, What a mind-blowing comment? No other words to explain as some people"s topi( hat] must have gone above their heads. Mark my words.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • amarnath, TN

    Sun, Jan 23 2022

    Its the duty of any sovereign govt to uphold a nations respect. you may be feeling that they have removed it because of some religious bias, but it does not matter.just as you have right to your opinion the people who elected this govt also have rights. if something is a colonial legacy it needs to be changed.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Raj, Mangalore

    Sat, Jan 22 2022

    India's communal leaders are a disgrace to the country.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • John Pinto, Belman

    Sat, Jan 22 2022

    Unpad Gawars can not understand meaning of ‘Abide with Me’ so they dropped.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • GURKA, Mangaluru

    Sun, Jan 23 2022

    GATTAR SE GAS wala ideas only from those unpad and andhbhakth !!! Pakode Bejo naukri karo !!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: 'Abide With Me' Mahatma Gandhi's favourite hymn dropped from Beating Retreat ceremony



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