Mumbai: A replica Ayodhya Gate rises in Worli

Work on at the club’s gates

The National Sports Club of India (NSCI) Worli has decorated the club's main gate, like the Ayodhya Mandir to celebrate the Ram Lalla Pran Pratisthan ceremony on January 22 in Ayodhya. NSCI Mumbai & Delhi president Viren Shah said the club thought it important to mark the momentous occasion.

Shah also said the structure is, "nearly 86 feet in length and 26 feet in height. It is made of fibre and has taken approximately a week to complete." He added that it is a historic and proud moment for Indians. It is after 500 years, once in many lifetimes, that one is witness to such an event."

Shah said the club's member base of 15,000 members and their families, which makes it 50,000 people wanted to be part of celebrations, in whatever way possible. "Not everybody can go to Ayodhya, yet, we feel the spirit, the divinity here too."

Sporting

Shah also said to a question that the club needs to use funds for sporting facility upgradation, "We have a specific budget for every entertainment event, like Christmas, New Year, Diwali get-togethers, Independence Day, and Republic Day. The budget is sanctioned by the Regional Committee (RC), and this one too is passed by the RC. We also have sponsors."

Club marks historic day in its own way. Pic/Shadab Khan

The occasion is being marked as it is epochal, but sports remains the club's focus. The president added, "We have recently introduced a paddle court for paddle tennis, a cricket pitch for cricket lovers and golf putting. We have a women's throwball court and a football turf. In April we are conducting the first-ever Interclub championship, where 12 clubs of Mumbai will compete with each other at the NSCI," said Shah, "We have sports in our name and live up to that," he stated.

Inspiring

His words find resonance in Ram Kishore Singhi's sentiment who said, "Lord Ram is an inspiration for all." Singhi, an active club member who will be distributing prasadam on the day said, "We need not politicise and communalise an issue which is throwing the spotlight and laying a foundation for greater understanding of Indian culture and tradition."

Regional committee member Abbas Contractor said the club was proud to "mark a milestone, in its own, unique way." Club member Rajesh Mahnot endorsed that opinion and added, "joyous" is particularly apt to describe the mood of the member base right now. Chairman NSCI Mumbai Amit Menda, explained, "A historic date in our calendar is going to be marked at the Club, just like all across the country. It does not take away from the cosmopolitan nature of the Worli club. It is the pride and Indian ethos that we are showcasing, and everybody is part of that. Jai Shree Ram."

Club officials and members pointed out that the club's gates are a high vantage, visible point. It is a traffic-dense spot. That space has wheels but will have heels too on January 21 morning. They reminded, "On Sunday, we also have the Mumbai marathon and the thousands of runners on our streets will pass by these gates, some seeking divine blessings as they go through this spot," stated Shah. The replica will be on site till January 26, Republic Day.

26 x 86 ft
The height and length of the structure