77th Republic Day: Manipur Marks Grand Finale with Beating the Retreat Ceremony

The 77th Republic Day celebrations in Manipur concluded on a vibrant note on Tuesday with the ceremonial Beating the Retreat and a spectacular Folk Dance Competition at the Parade Ground of the 1st Battalion, Manipur Rifles, Imphal.

Governor of Manipur Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla graced the closing ceremony and distributed prizes to winners of the March Past competitions held earlier. The event was attended by Chief Secretary Shri Puneet Kumar Goel, MLAs, and senior civil and police officials.

In the Uniform Contingent category, 4th Mahar (Borders) Regiment and Assam Rifles jointly secured the first position, followed by Border Security Force (BSF) in second place and 11th Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) in third. In the School Uniform Contingent, KGBV Andro emerged first, Manipur Public School (Girls) second, and T.G. Higher Secondary School third.

For College Contingents, D.M. College of Science (Boys & Girls) bagged the first prize, followed by Liberal College and Manipur College. In the NCC category, 14th NCC Senior Boys & Girls secured the top position, 65th Girls NCC came second, and NCC Senior Air Wing stood third. The Band Party competition saw Assam Rifles Band Platoon winning first place, followed by 1st IRB Band Platoon and CRPF Band Platoon.

In other categories, the Sericulture Department topped the Gate Construction competition, while Forest Department and Tourism Department secured second and third positions. In the Tableau competition, Tourism Department emerged first, followed by Handloom and Textiles, Department of Textile, Commerce & Industry in second place and Forest Department in third.

For the Cultural Dance Group category, Salairen Cultural Research Institute, Imphal West, won the first prize, Chakama Arts & Culture Academy, Kamjong District, secured second, and The Performing Entrancement Arts & Cultural Evolution, Thoubal, bagged third place.

Special prizes were awarded to Parade Commander Shri N. Madhunimai Singh, MPS, CO–8th MR, and Guard of Honour Commander Shri Abhijeet Pandey, IPS Probationer, Commandant, 1st Battalion, Manipur Rifles, Imphal. Several departments, contingents and institutions, including education, health, fire services, ASHA workers, ICDS Anganwadi workers, differently-abled persons, mounted police and other special contingents, were also honoured for their participation.

Governor Bhalla also distributed cash prizes with citations to winners of the Folk Dance Competition held at the venue. Ibudhou Loyalakpa Manipuri Dance Group, Bishnupur District, won first prize and received ₹1 lakh, while Echel Jagoi Lup, Jiribam District, secured second prize with ₹75,000. Chakama Arts and Cultural Academy, Kamjong District, won third prize and received ₹50,000. All participating troupes were awarded ₹15,000 each along with certificates.

Additionally, the Governor presented red blankets to 14 Village Chiefs/Khullakpas from eight hill districts—Chandel, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Noney, Senapati, Tamenglong, Churachandpur and Tengnoupal—who attended the Republic Day celebrations in Imphal.

The colourful closing ceremony marked a fitting end to the week-long Republic Day celebrations in the state.