Published On : Tue, Aug 29th, 2017

Indian Gymkhana Club should be vacated for cultural activities, demands citizens

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Indian Gymkhana Dhantoli
Nagpur: Even as various departments of district administration has barred all commercial activities at public places in Nagpur, most of the upcoming events in the light of festivities are reeling under clouds of uncertainty. All the future activities including Ravana effigy burning ritual, dandiya, exhibitions and amusement activities are now lying at the mercy of these officials who are strict no-no for allowing such events at their premises. Under such a scheme of things all eyes are now trained on the NMC land which has been leased to Indian Gymkhana club. Few groups of citizens have appealed to the civic body to get this place vacated from Indian Gymkhana so that the people do not have to part ways with their share of entertainment.

It may be mentioned that over the years the public utility spaces under NMC, NIT and Collectorate were being given for various commercial activities, instead of sports and cultural activities for which these grounds were actually reserved. Prominent among these places include Kasturchand Park, Reshimbagh ground and Yeshwant Stadium. Over the years, these places saw host of commercial eventts including political rallies and other money minting events. When the social activists moved the court against rampant use of public utility space for commercial purpose, the court pulled up the administration following which it haplessly passed the diktat that no commercial activity would be permitted in future. The order has sent organisers of festival events like dandiya and other activities in a tizzy.

The citizens have now demanded from the NMC administration and the ruling party get the space behind NMC’s Dhantoli zone office vacated. The piece of land reportedly run in some acres. Sources said that a major chunk of this land has also been encroached upon whereas the remaining portion has been leased out to Indian Gymkhana Club. It is learnt that the lease of the club had ended almost an year ago but the NMC has not yet initiated any steps to get the land vacated. Citizens pressed that since the club is being currently used as a hangout space for city’s selected class, the NMC should not renew the lease and take it back for cultural and social events.