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21 August 2024 at 3:50:16 pm

Bombay Gymkhana chronicles 150 years of sporting heritage

Bombay Gymkhana President Sanjiv Saran Mehra with past president Khalid Ansari during the unveiling of Bombay Gymkhana’s Coffee Table Book The Journey So Far at the book launch. Mumbai: Marking a monumental milestone in India's sporting history, the historic Bombay Gymkhana has unveiled a commemorative coffee table book titled "The Journey So Far." Launched at the club's Dining Hall, the 284-page publication chronicles the institution's remarkable 150-year legacy, celebrating its profound...

Bombay Gymkhana chronicles 150 years of sporting heritage

Bombay Gymkhana President Sanjiv Saran Mehra with past president Khalid Ansari during the unveiling of Bombay Gymkhana’s Coffee Table Book The Journey So Far at the book launch. Mumbai: Marking a monumental milestone in India's sporting history, the historic Bombay Gymkhana has unveiled a commemorative coffee table book titled "The Journey So Far." Launched at the club's Dining Hall, the 284-page publication chronicles the institution's remarkable 150-year legacy, celebrating its profound impact on the nation's athletic and cultural landscape since its inception in 1875. With rich contributions from club members, the book weaves together rare archival photographs, historical records, and contemporary imagery. It offers a comprehensive visual journey across generations, showcasing the evolution of the club's facilities, teams, and distinguished sporting personalities. ​The publication captures defining moments that have inextricably linked the Gymkhana to the broader narrative of Indian sport. Prominently featured is the club's proud association with India’s first-ever home Test match, played against England in 1933. Beyond cricket, the book sheds light on the club's foundational role in the development of Indian rugby since 1890, as well as its deep-rooted polo traditions. The sport of polo, marked by the establishment of the prestigious Bombay Gymkhana Polo Challenge Cup in 1882, has even experienced a celebrated revival at the club in recent years. Adding to these historical accolades, the Department of Posts recently released a commemorative postage stamp to formally honour the institution's 150th anniversary. ​For over a century and a half, the Bombay Gymkhana has evolved alongside the bustling metropolis of Mumbai while fiercely guarding its athletic traditions. Speaking at the unveiling, Club President Sanjiv Saran Mehra noted that the history of the Gymkhana is closely intertwined with the sporting history of the country. He emphasized that the book is an essential effort to preserve these memories while reminding members of their responsibility to inspire future generations. ​The launch event drew heartfelt tributes from Indian sports icons whose own legendary journeys have crossed paths with the Gymkhana. Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar described his membership as one of his most cherished experiences, recalling happy hours spent playing both badminton and cricket on the premises. Paying homage to past legends like Nariman Jamshedji Contractor, Gavaskar noted that the new book perfectly captures the club's essence, stating that the institution is "always classy." ​Former international badminton player Uday Pawar also highlighted the global stature of the Gymkhana. Pawar reminded attendees that the club's courts have hosted former All England and World champions such as Wong Pen Soon, Erland Kops, and Rudy Hartono, cementing its status as the most iconic sports club in India. Adding to the praise, former India Hockey captain and Olympic gold medallist M. M. Somaya described the venue as a sportsman’s paradise, commending the management for successfully striking a delicate balance between deep-rooted tradition and modern sporting amenities. ​Ultimately, "The Journey So Far" serves as much more than a historical record. As Bombay Gymkhana turns the page on its first century and a half, the publication stands as a visual reflection of an institution that continuously adapts while safeguarding its core values, reaffirming a steadfast dedication to athletic excellence and community.Bombay Gymkhana Chronicles 150 Years of Sporting Heritage with Commemorative Book, 'The Journey So Far' ​MUMBAI — Marking a monumental milestone in India's sporting history, the historic Bombay Gymkhana has unveiled a commemorative coffee table book titled "The Journey So Far." Launched at the club's Dining Hall, the 284-page publication chronicles the institution's remarkable 150-year legacy, celebrating its profound impact on the nation's athletic and cultural landscape since its inception in 1875. ​Edited, designed, and printed by Spenta Multimedia Pvt. Ltd., with rich contributions from club members, the book weaves together rare archival photographs, historical records, and contemporary imagery. It offers a comprehensive visual journey across generations, showcasing the evolution of the club's facilities, teams, and distinguished sporting personalities. ​The publication captures defining moments that have inextricably linked the Gymkhana to the broader narrative of Indian sport. Prominently featured is the club's proud association with India’s first-ever home Test match, played against England in 1933. Beyond cricket, the book sheds light on the club's foundational role in the development of Indian rugby since 1890, as well as its deep-rooted polo traditions. The sport of polo, marked by the establishment of the prestigious Bombay Gymkhana Polo Challenge Cup in 1882, has even experienced a celebrated revival at the club in recent years. Adding to these historical accolades, the Department of Posts recently released a commemorative postage stamp to formally honour the institution's 150th anniversary. ​For over a century and a half, the Bombay Gymkhana has evolved alongside the bustling metropolis of Mumbai while fiercely guarding its athletic traditions. Speaking at the unveiling, Club President Sanjiv Saran Mehra noted that the history of the Gymkhana is closely intertwined with the sporting history of the country. He emphasized that the book is an essential effort to preserve these memories while reminding members of their responsibility to inspire future generations. ​The launch event drew heartfelt tributes from Indian sports icons whose own legendary journeys have crossed paths with the Gymkhana. Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar described his membership as one of his most cherished experiences, recalling happy hours spent playing both badminton and cricket on the premises. Paying homage to past legends like Nariman Jamshedji Contractor, Gavaskar noted that the new book perfectly captures the club's essence, stating that the institution is "always classy." ​Former international badminton player Uday Pawar also highlighted the global stature of the Gymkhana. Pawar reminded attendees that the club's courts have hosted former All England and World champions such as Wong Pen Soon, Erland Kops, and Rudy Hartono, cementing its status as the most iconic sports club in India. Adding to the praise, former India Hockey captain and Olympic gold medallist M. M. Somaya described the venue as a sportsman’s paradise, commending the management for successfully striking a delicate balance between deep-rooted tradition and modern sporting amenities. ​Ultimately, "The Journey So Far" serves as much more than a historical record. As Bombay Gymkhana turns the page on its first century and a half, the publication stands as a visual reflection of an institution that continuously adapts while safeguarding its core values, reaffirming a steadfast dedication to athletic excellence and community.

Controlling overcrowding key on local trains

Mumbai: Controlling overcrowding is the key to avoid accidents on Mumbai suburban local trains and in an affidavit filed in the Bombay High Court last year, the Central Railway (CR) had sought the court’s help to direct the Maharashtra government to introduce staggered timing for offices as one of the measures to do so.


During hearing on a PIL regarding accidents on Mumbai’s suburban railway network last year, the then Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Upadhyaya had said, “I feel ashamed. The manner in which passengers in local trains are made to commute is unacceptable.” He had also directed the railway authorities to file affidavit outlining concrete measures to mitigate accidents and emphasized the need for a fundamental shift in the Railways’ approach towards passenger safety, stressing that the current situation demands immediate rectification.


The grim situation of accidents on suburban railways came forth in the affidavit. While the Central Railway (CR) has 1,810 suburban services that carry 40 lakh passengers, a whopping 29,321 people have lost lives in various accidents on the CR between 2005 and July 2024. According to CPRO Dr Swapnil Dhanraj Nila, “Existing passenger carrying capacity is almost fully utilised and there is hardly any scope for increasing it further (to control overcrowding) till the basic infrastructure is expanded.”


Reason of deaths

The affidavit filed by the CR said that most of the accidents were due to crossing the tracks, some were due to falling off crowded trains, while some were due to passengers being knocked down by poles adjacent to railway tracks and even gaps between platform and train footboards, among other reasons. The affidavit stated that in 2009, there were 1,782 deaths and 1,614 people were injured, which came down to 1,221 deaths and 938 injuries in 2023.


The CR had also sought the assistance of the court to direct the Maharashtra government to introduce staggered timing for offices. It had also sought the removal of some encroachments along the railway tracks, especially at Parsik Tunnel, stopping of unauthorised sand mining at Mumbra creek and a parallel road between Thane and Kalyan.


Experts say

Transport expert Sudhir Badami points at yet another issue – “making attractive mass transit system affordable.”


“The railway board has now decided that all rakes under manufacturing for Mumbai Suburban network will have automatic door closer facility. However, controlling the overcrowding is the key and that would need policy intervention and holistic approach towards resolving the transport issues of the region,” he said.


15 coach locals

MP from Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency Dr Shrikant Shinde, who visited the injured commuters at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Hospital at Kalwa said that increasing the capacity of transporting more number of passengers quickly is the need of the hour. “Locals need to be made less crowded. Fast locals need to be started between Diwa and CSMT for that. Also, starting the fifth and sixth lines up to CSMT at earliest is must. Raising the number of 15-car rakes during peak hours too can be a very effective way to tackle the issue of overcrowding in the locals,” the MP said.

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