What is Beating Retreat Program : Today, January 29 is the official closing of the Republic Day celebrations. The ceremony, titled Beating the Retreat, is held on the evening of 29, during which the three branches of the army march in traditional tunes. The President is the chief guest of this event to be held in Vijay Chowk. During this time permission is sought from the President to finish the Republic Day celebrations. This time Republic Day was different for many reasons. A major reason was the corona epidemic, due to which people could not get out of the houses.