Petrapole-Benapole Border Ceremony

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Petrapole-Benapole Border Ceremony
India West Bengal location map.svg
Petrapole is situated on the national highway 35 (now NH 112)(Jessore Road) between Bangaon, India and Benapole, Bangladesh.
Statusactive
GenreMilitary display
Date(s)Every day
FrequencyDaily
Location(s)North 24 Parganas, West Bengal
Coordinates23°02′12″N 88°52′37″E / 23.0365726°N 88.8769483°E / 23.0365726; 88.8769483Coordinates: 23°02′12″N 88°52′37″E / 23.0365726°N 88.8769483°E / 23.0365726; 88.8769483
Country Bangladesh
 India
Years active6 (since 2013)
InauguratedNovember 6, 2013 (2013-11-06)
FoundersBorder Security Force and Border Guards Bangladesh
Websitenorth24parganas.nic.in

The Petrapole-Benapole joint retreat ceremony was inaugurated on 6 November 2013 by the Home Minister at ICP Petrapole in the presence of Home Minister of Bangladesh.[1] It is a daily military exercise similar to the Wagah Border Ceremony and engages soldiers of Border Security Force (India) and the Border Guards Bangladesh.[2]

The Petrapole-Benapole Border Ceremony takes place every evening from 1630 to 1700. This Joint Retreat Ceremony of 30 minutes resulting in lowering of national flags of India and Bangladesh is jointly conducted by BSF (Border Security Force) and BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh).[3]

The "Wagah of the East" as it is known, the Petrapole-Benapole Border Ceremony starts off with opening of gates on India and Bangladesh side.[4] After a quick friendly handshake between the BSF and BGB infantrymen, the soldiers march into the "no man's land" in their respective ceremonial dresses and battle dress uniform.

The Petrapole retreat ceremony has taken inspiration from the much popular . Ceremonial theatrics by the BSF and BGB are at the heart of the ceremony and is attended by Military officials of both countries. The ceremonial parade ends before sunset and the flags of either countries are lowered. The gates on either side of the border are closed for the day.

Since the Petrapole-Benapole Border Retreat Ceremony was initiated in 2013, not many tourists are aware of this event. The crowd at the ceremony consists mostly of local people and very few tourists. After the retreat ceremony, the BSF jawans pose for a photo shoot with civilians or tourist. You can pose for pictures with the BSF soldiers in their ceremonial dress.

Location[]

Petrapole is on the Indian side of the border with Bangladesh. The Bangladesh border point is called Benapole. Petrapole is situated 6 km from Bangaon in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Petrapole is the largest land custom point in India and Asia.[5]

Gallery[]

  • BSF and BGB.JPG
  • Border Guards Bangladesh.jpg
  • BSF at Petrapole.JPG
  • Lowering of Flags.JPG
  • Lowering of Flag.JPG
  • Photoshoot with BSF.JPG
  • BSF in Ceremonial Dress.JPG

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Retreat Ceremony at Indo–Bangladesh Border". PIB. Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  2. ^ Kumar, Satish (14 July 2015). India's National Security: Annual Review 2014. Routledge India. p. 512. ISBN 978-1138927438.
  3. ^ "PETRAPOLE SET TO HAVE A SPECTACULAR RETREAT CEREMONY" (PDF). PRESS RELEASE. BORDER SECURITY FORCE. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  4. ^ "India to have a 'Wagah in the East'". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  5. ^ "Chief secretary visits Petrapole border". Indiatimes. The Times of India. Retrieved 9 April 2016.

External links[]

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