Gandhiji’s favorite Hymn “Abide with me” dropped from R-Day Festivities

The government decided to drop, Gandhiji’s favorite hymn, “Abide with me” from the Republic day beating retreat.

“Abide with Me” is a favorite hymn of Mahatma Gandhi. It is a prayer to God to remain with the person through life and in death. It was written by Scottish Anglican Henry Francis Lyte in 1847. He was dying of tuberculosis.

The Republic day festivities start from 26 January and end on 29 January every year. The song “Abide with me” marked the end of the festivities every year. It has been a centuries-old military tradition. This song signaled the end of fighting for the day, with soldiers leaving their arms and withdrew from the battlefield.

Unlike every year, this year it is decided to omit the song in the Beating Retreat Ceremony, performed at Vijay chowk.

However, the decision to drop the hymn comes a day after the government shifted the eternal flame from Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. They merged the flame at National War Memorial.

Moreover, allegations are that the Modi government is trying hard to remove all the age-old traditions.

Firstly, removing of Amar Jawan Jyoti, then rejecting the tableaux of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala for Republic Day Parade.

Surprisingly, it is alleged that the servicemen will be dancing on a Bollywood song.