15 January,2021 06:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal Ashar
At the inauguration of the Garware Club House in Churchgate. File pic
The Garware Club House at Churchgate, with the Wankhede Stadium and Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) office within the premises, has offered its sprawling space for a COVID-19 vaccination centre. A letter dated January 6, addressed to State Health Minister Rajesh Tope, and signed by the club's Vice-President Raj Purohit started with a congratulatory note and acknowledgement of those who played a part in making the vaccine a reality. It also saluted Corona warriors.
The crux of the communique was in the third paragraph of the one-page letter in which the senior club official said, "We like to request and suggest that you open a vaccination campaign centre for 14,000 members and their families. This means more than 50,000 people." The letter also says that the centre can act as a facility for Marine Drive and Nariman Point residents. "We will provide the space and infrastructure for the same. This will also reduce the burden on the BMC."
Under consideration
Signing off, Purohit said in the letter that BMC should give "proposals/terms including cost in respect thereof, for the consideration of the Garware Club House Managing Committee." When asked if there was any response, Purohit said, "We do not have anything in writing as of now. Yet, I have spoken to senior health officials, who have thanked us for the offer and said that they will consider it. They have said that currently, their policy decision has not reached this level."
The vice-president said that he made the offer in keeping with the club's willingness to pitch in during times of a national crisis. "We are for the nation, our state, city and club members. The Garware has always been there to help. We have made this offer because we do have the space and infrastructure to house a centre. We also believe it can work. We have a hall that can be turned into a vaccination centre, if those in-charge think it fit. We also have ground floor space. The club had a provision store for its members on the ground floor.
"This store has shut down. That place too can be converted into a centre," said Purohit, adding that as a club, "we have seating facilities for all vaccination centre staffers. Even those who take the vaccine, will need to sit post the jab for 30 minutes to an hour, and we have the infrastructure for that." Club officials also said they have parking facilities too.
The background
While many clubs had been taken over as COVID-19 centres during the initial phase of the lockdown, the Garware club was not used. Several resident associations had raised objections at that time. The heavy and prolonged monsoon also meant that the Wankhede Stadium plan had to be shelved.
Purohit said, "We do not anticipate any resistance now, as healthy people will be coming in to take the vaccine." His confidence stems from the general sentiment, like that of R Somani, president of Marine Drive Citizens' Association. Somani said, "This is an excellent proposal by the club. We hope it is accepted. The big plus of course, is location. The club is easily accessible to all travelling by private and public transport. There is a huge residential area around the club, which will benefit. Let us hope this takes off."
