The Beating Retreat ceremony at the Petrapol-Benapol international check post between India and Bangladesh has become a big draw ever since it was started here in November 2013. This popular event has made the border guards of both countries replicate the ceremony at a number of check-posts on the eastern sector.

The border guards of both India and Bangladesh display their show of strength, physical fitness, valour and patriotism in their ceremony. A senior BSF official said that the ceremony, originally held at the Wagha-Attari border in Punjab between India and Pakistan, has been introduced at the Petrapole border. “But there is a major difference between the two ceremonies,” he said.

Unlike the Wagha border, the Petrapole-Benapole ceremony has been designed to reflect a a cordial atmosphere and friendship during the parade. The  Wagha-Attari ceremony is different in its presentation — the body language of the participating jawans, the fierce eye to eye contact and physical gestures.The raising of legs and body jerks of the jawans in Wagha-Attari seem to convey the underlying tension between the two countries, said the six-feet tall parade master of the BSF at Petrapol who hails from Shikhar district in Rajasthan.

One witnessed during a recent visit to the border, people in small groups started gathering on either side of the checkpost to witness the beating retreat ceremony. At a distance in an open field the infantrymen warmed up for 15 minutes before taking their respective positions on the huge iron gates. The galleries become more animated and lively with giggles, murmurs and cheers. The recently renovated Bangladesh gallery at the check-post is cause for dissatisfaction with viewers on the Indian side. The BSF jawans are flooded with repeated questions why the gallery on the Indian side lacks the shine and grandeur on the other side. “The proposal for upgrading the Indian gallery has been sent to the concerned authorities in the union home ministry and a sanction is likely to come any moment,” say BSF officials.

The Beating Retreat ceremony here begins at 4.30 pm with opening of the border gates followed by a robust parade of the border guards on either and it ends at about 5 p.m with the ceremonial lowering of the national flags of the respective countries. While one border guard from each side stands in attention at the gate, salutes are exchanged and a friendly handshake takes place at the “zero point” – the meeting ground of both the countries.

It is followed by a ceremonial drill which is a sight to behold. The drill includes long and brisk strides, foot stamping and  salutes as each side tries to upstage their counterparts in footsteps and walks. Jawans from the BSF and the Bangladesh Border Guards walk up to their respective commander on the spot and seek permission to lower the national flags.The flags of both the countries are lowered respectfully in perfect unison and the massive iron gates are closed for the day while the marching border guards retreat to their respective posts.

Whilst the ceremony is on, crossing of people halts for the duration. Only spectators who come to watch the beating retreat ceremony are allowed inside the area. The air is filled with a sense of patriotism on both sides. Petrapol is often described as the Wagha of the East except for the camaraderie lacking in the former.

Students, Statesman Print Journalism School