The 'All India police band competition', with 13 bands from state police and seven from central paramilitary forces, played soulful music for the public which clapped in unison on their renditions.
Union Home Secretary R K Singh who inaugurated the competition said such bands are an integral part of a regimental unit and they keep the morale of their personnel high when they are out in combat.
The annual competition is aimed to bring out the best amongst these bands, he said.
The bands, including brass, pipes and buglers, played military and patriotic songs like 'dil diya hai jaan bhee denge', 'kadam kadam badhaye jaa', 'aey mere watan ke logo', 'vande mataram' and 'saarey jahan se achchaa' along with some other tunes.
With this opening ceremony being held at the India Gate today, the rest of the contest will be held at a BSF camp in south Delhi.
Visitors to this historic memorial in central Delhi can again savour the treat of the melodious music on October 11 evening when the contest will come to an end with a public display.
"Bands hold tremendous importance for police forces and I hope that general public will enjoy these performances and hold the police forces in high stead than ever before," Border Security Force chief U K Bansal said during the event.
The border guarding force is organising the annual contest this year.
