Folk dance fest, beating the retreat wrap up Republic Day celebration
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 27 2025: The 76th Republic Day celebrations 2025 wrapped up with a folk dance festival and Beating the Retreat ceremony held at 1st Bn Manipur Rifles Parade Ground, Imphal today.

The main highlights of the day included distribution of prizes by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to the winning march past contingents, cultural troupes etc who took part in various categories of competitions conducted yesterday during the Republic Day celebrations 2025 at Kangla.

This was accompanied with a band display and Beating the Retreat ceremony.

Folk dance fest, beating the retreat wrap up Republic Day celebration

Notable dignitaries present at the ceremony included Chief Minister N Biren Singh, his Council of Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, DGP and other high ranking police and civil officials.

In the march past category, the BSF contingent and Un-Armed Combat (UAC) team jointly bagged the first position while the Sikh Regiment and Assam Rifles were declared the 2nd and 3rd position winners.

Among the school contingents, 14th NCC Senior Boys & Girls and 65th Girls NCC contingent secured the first position as NCC Senior Air Wing and Sainik School contingent bagged the 2nd and 3rd position respectively.

Among the college contingents, DM College of Arts (Girls) was placed at 1st position, Manipur College and National Sports University secured 2nd position and Imphal College came 3rd.In the band party category, Assam Rifles and CRPF Band jointly bagged the 1st prize while 2nd Manipur Rifles & 2nd IRB were placed 2nd and Sainik School Band was declared the 3rd prize winner.

Additionally, Star Musical Centre, Khurai; Performing Entrancement Art & Cultural Evolution and Lianda Folk & Classical Academy secured the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively in the cultural dance troupe category.

The tableaux of the Directorate of Handlooms & Textile Manipur secured 1st place while those showcased by the Directorate of Higher Education, Manipur and Loktak Development Authority won 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively.

Lastly, the Forest Department, Directorate of Sericulture and the Tourism Department were awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in gate construction.

It is also worth noting that special prizes were awarded to Parade Commander L Sarita Devi, MPS, SP-Sports; Guard of Honour commander Jay Barange, IPS; Commandant, 1st Bn, Manipur Rifles; Director, IPR; Director, Health Services; Director, Fire Services; Chief Engineer (PWD); Chief Engineer (PHED); Chief Engineer (Water Resources Department); Managing Director (MSPDCL); Municipality Commissioner, IMC; ex-servicemen contingent; Anouba Mangal Trust, Social Welfare Department; ICDS (Anganwadi-Imphal West) contingent; ASHA Workers contingent and contingent of Persons with Disability, Social Welfare Department.