Bandra Gymkhana Platinium Jubilee

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Of Fellowship and Facilities

101

Of Fellowship
& Facilities

Extension plans
- a time honoured metamorphosis!

- Written by Naomi Fernandes with inputs from Ajit
Rodrigues & Cornel K. Gonsalves, Nyrina Dos Remedios and
the Golden Jubilee Souvenir of the Bandra Gym.

T he Bandra Gymkhana was built in 1933 as
a simple and functional structure, with hints
of an Art Deco Style. It then consisted of a Hall,
Pavilion and Tennis Courts over a total of 5819 sq. yards of
land.
In a humid climate, the emphasis was on cross-ventilation
and hence the present hall, which was used as a Badminton
Court, had parallel sets of doors placed opposite each other,
and four pillars on both southern and northern sides. The
office was in the present-day Secretary’s room.

The first expansion plans were
undertaken in 1951 with the
inclusion of the current office,
the present day Billiards Room
and the Fitness Centre on the
ground floor on the south side.
If you sat in the present
Pavilion, in the days of old
there was grass at your feet
till it was extended beyond the
four rotund pillars, upon which

102 TRULY ORIGINAL – The
Badminton Hall as it is today
since 1935

TOP OF THE HOUSE Speciality
Restaurant

stands the extended
1st floor Pavilion terrace.
The Cafeteria beyond the
present Bridge Room was
an open space which in
the early 1980s catered to
members who sat in huts
with stone seats running around the shack. It was idyllic feeling, to sit there in
the rains conversing over garam chai and bhajiyas. But some things never last
and the mid-‘80s saw the construction of the present cafeteria, a first floor
bridge room & library, a second floor fitness centre and a meeting cum table-
tennis room.
The southern side of the hall ground level, had the entire length of the room
as a Bridge Room, till a caterer’s kitchen moved into one part and the Bridge
room occupied the other part. The Billiards room remained on the first floor
with the present office rooms beside it.
To cope with a burgeoning number of members, yet again, a few years into
the 21st century saw the biggest metamorphosis that the gymkhana has
undergone. On 8th of Sept 2004, His Eminence Simon Cardinal Pimenta,
Emeritus Archbishop of Bombay signalled the start of the expansion which has
culminated in this being one of the best gymkhanas in the city. Long hours
sifting through drawings, procuring permissions, and obtaining licenses by a
few dedicated Managing Committee members in 2005 helped us ultimately
achieve this goal.
This time the Planning & Projects Committee transformed a moderate
gymkhana to an attractive one with its present 1st floor Golden Tiles Bar
that commands an area of 2144 sq.ft., a seating capacity of 160
persons, and a 60-foot bar. The original Bar on the
Ground floor off the Hall had an area of 465
sq. ft. till prohibition was declared
in the ‘50s. During
those dark days,
the gymkhana
functioned without a
bar.

GOLDEN TILES BAR 103

GREEN GLORY: Above this on the second floor is the Top of the
recently made over garden House Fine dining Restaurant. With an area of
2500 sq. ft. and a seating capacity of 140 persons, this space is
1st Floor Pavilion designed with local flavours in mind: there are pictures of tiled
roofs and traditional East Indian sarees are displayed.
A WEDDING VENUE: The five Tennis Courts have undergone radical changes through
Ettie & Aloysius this decade. The only lighting originally was natural daylight,
Rodrigues on the Tennis ending play until sundown, till electric lighting lit up the courts to
Courts in 1942 with the stretch the hours well into the evening. At present,
matted fencing in the Philips has installed its international flood lighting
background for the tennis courts. The tennis courts have had
dual purposes. It has been used not only for tennis
and tennis coaching but also for the Gymkhana’s
special dances and other functions as also being the
venue for weddings.
From its original cowdung and clay courts to a state-
of-the-art acrylic polymer decoturf coating that is
in accordance with International Tennis Federation
standards, the soon-to-be-completed courts will be
its neighbours’ envy and owners’ pride.
To accommodate a larger fitness centre, the southern room off
the Hall was the perfect option. With 1400 sq. ft., the gymnasium
can boast of being the second largest in Bandra, the first being
Gold’s Gym at Pali Naka. This facility now enjoys air conditioning.
A healthy mind in a fit body is an ultimate goal for those working
out.

Through the
years the garden
has been looked
after by the
respective House
and Garden
Secretaries. In
her presidential
term, Norysca

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Wassoodew planted the acacia Plaque outside the
palms that formed a divider between Reading Room
the main building and the tennis
courts. Flower and Plant shows were A ROOF WITH A VIEW –
organized occasionally. The cultivation of potted palms is a source Roof top swimming pool
of income and beautification during the wedding season. Hibiscus
and bougainvillea were common plants that were synonymous
with the gym. At present, Mohini Rodrigues, Otto Mathais and
Samir D’Monte are working on a leafy green make-over for the
gymkhana.
As you enter the gym from St Andrew’s Road is the present day
foyer and the Reading Room cum Library with its huge windows.
Initially, the only funds for the section was the interest on a sum
of Rs.10,000 which was donated by Dr. D. A. D’Monte in memory
of his brother, the late Rev. Msgr. Braz D’Monte, after whom it has
been named.
On the first floor, above are a state-of-the-art Badminton court,
with maple hard wooden flooring and a table tennis room which is
situated at the far end with a area of 825 sq ft. with dual playing
tables. A floor above this room is the present Conference Room
with a seating capacity of 30 people and is now used to conduct
all meetings of the Managing Committee and Sectional sections.
A roof-top Swimming pool that has a state-of-the-art ozone
filtration plant and with a depth of 3.8 ft shallow end to 8.6
ft. deep end and spans 15 metres by 7 metres. Shower and
changing rooms are situated just off the pool and lockers too are
available for use. Summer coaching camps are held for children
between 5 to 8 years. It is the only section that does not permit
guests for want of
space.
But what was the
most difficult to
sacrifice in the name
of progress was the
obliteration of the

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50 years of grand old teak wood stage. Through the years, actors like
Independence: Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Shah
Flag Hoisting in the Pathak, Shashi Kapoor and Sanjana Kapoor did their act or
Gymkhana 1997 were simply there as guests.

Cross donated by Ignatius Literary and Cultural Section
& Greta Pereira as a Golden
Jubilee Gift. In 1942, the Inter School Annual English Elocution Competition
was established. In its first competition, it would be enlightening
Flag Hoisting Ceremony to note that the first prize was a tie between our former
Republic Day 1954 at 7.45 president, late Hyginus Correa and the actor Shammi Kapoor,
am L-R – Second from left as Nymphia Correa recalls. Several Trophies were donated by
Leo Rodrigues, Rt Rev. Mgr the members. To-day they number twenty-two. Prominent
V. Dyer, Smt & Shri D.N. educationists have presided over the annual functions in which
Wandrekar, Dy. Minister, nearly 75 to 100, both SSC and ICSE Boards including co-
D.J. Ferreira, Rev. N.J. educational institutions from all over Mumbai participate.
Remedios, J.S. Pereira, Debates, Talks, What’s-the-good-word, Symposia, Film Shows,
President Painting Competitions were held by this section over the years.
The Music Talent Contest has now been revived. Snack, Salad
& Cake Competitions bring out the creativity of many of our
members and their guests.
Under the Cultural umbrella, is the ever popular Christmas Bazar
which started out as a one day sale and display of Christmas
décor, sweets, flowers, handicrafts, jewellery, shoes, bags, food,
clothes etc. and increased to a two day affair by popular demand.
To do its bit for society, the gymkhana allows registered NGOs to
display their works free of cost. Mother Teresa’ Roses, Aseema,

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St. Catherine of Sienna, Womens’ India MOTHER TERESA’S
Trust, Share, Snehalaya Special School, ROSES:
Prayas etc are some of the charities that
take advantage of this. Apart from just NGO Stall at the
the sale and display, a cultural programme of carols sung by Christmas Bazar
different groups is the entertainment for the evening.
The inclusion of the traditional Carnival in the Cultural program VIVA CARNIVAL:
began in 2009. Parades, floats and the local version of King Momo King Momo & his subjects
with his subjects was the flavor of the day. This year, a Live Food
Counter by the caterer, C R Cuisines was a super hit. at Carnival 2010
Being a patriotic gymkhana, Flag hoisting on the two
days in the year, Republic Day and Independence Day
is conducted with grace and dignity.
And religiously the Annual Thanksgiving Mass is
conducted by the gymkhana’s available clergy
members on the first Saturday in the month of May
in gratitude for blessings received. Recitation of the
Rosary by the Cross, which was re-located when the
latest expansion plans required it to a place in the
garden area between the main building and the tennis
courts, is conducted every year at the end of the month of May.

Senior Citizens’ Section

This section was included in recent years and involves the senior
members of the gymkhana. Socials and picnics keep the seniors
involved in activity. Blood donation drives and registration of
senior citizens identity cards too have been conducted by earlier
secretaries.

Social Section

The Social section is one of the
most vibrantly active sections in
the gymkhana since its inception.
The social setting includes the

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WITNESS IN STONE: Main Children’s Christmas Tree party with the arrival
foundation stone of the of Santa Claus to give them gifts. The gymkhana
building since 1935 ensures that every child gets a free gift as a token
of its generosity. The Christmas & New Year dances through the
TIME KEEPER: years are the perfect excuse for the members to mingle and catch
This clock has up with their circle of friends and non-resident holidaying friends.
witnessed the best A band synonymous with the gym through the last two decades
action since 1935 has been ‘Bonaventures’. Other bands that render their musical
talent are Uptown Groove, Music Revival, Walter’s Duo, Bonny’s
BEER. BAR–B-QUE. BINGO
NITE: Super Bumper Super Trio, Enigma, Rhythm Rising, among
Housie being played on the the latest bands and old timers through the
Tennis Courts years would be Nelly & her Dance Band, Chic
Chocolate, Maurice Concessio, Ian & Debbie,
Len and his Rebels, Fame, Friendship Clan,
Crimson Rage, Full Monty, Aqua Flow, Sunshine
Band, Ventures to name a few. Members’
Dinner Dance is a stylish show in recent years
which is a subsidized dinner for its members.
Bar-b-ques, Valentine’s Nite, Easter socials,
Bandra feast socials and a potpourri of rock
shows, karaoke nites, Drama Nites, Salsa dance
workshops are an integral part of the social scenario that is the
Bandra Gymkhana.
Housie has been one of the major attractions over the past 75
years and continues to be so, with dedicated committees that
carry out this recreational activity for our members and their
guests for 54 Sundays of the year.

The Fair Brigade

This book would be
incomplete without a
reference to the ladies
of the Gymkhana.
During the initial

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Gymkhana's First Ladies

Juliet Pereira 1st Lady member

Phyllis Athaide 1st co-opted Lady member Norsyca Wassoodew

Neena D'Souza D'Penha 1st elected Lady member

Norsysca Wassoodew 1st Lady Hon. General Secretary

Norsysca Wassoodew 1st Lady President

twenty-five years of its existence, they shunned the limelight, PATTERNED
avoiding office, but constituted a formidable phalanx which toiled GALLERY:
in the cause of the Gymkhana.
Mrs. Juliet Pereira, wife of J.S. Pereira, former President, was the All the way to the
first lady member. She was followed by the wives and daughters current office
of other members. It was only after two decades that Mrs. Phyllis
Athaide was co-opted on the Managing Committee thus becoming MEMBERS’ NITE 2009:
the first lady to join the Managing Committee. Some Managing Committee
Later on, Mrs. Elfrieda D’Almeida S.E.M., widow of Prof, J.F.R.
D’Almeida, an ex-Mayor of Bandra, Mrs. Ettie Rodrigues, Mrs. Members
Melanie Pereira and Mrs. Lucy Miranda have been co-opted on
different occasions to the Managing Committee. It was not until
1981 that Mrs. Neena D’Penha (nee D’Souza) S.E.M. became the
first lady to get elected to the Managing Committee. She was
followed in 1982 by Mrs. Loretta D’Mello and in 1983 by Mrs.
Norysca Wassoodew, who not only topped the poll but became
the first lady Hon. Gen. Secretary and later in 1995 became the
first lady President that this gym has seen.
In later years, a number of our lady members such as Cynthia
D’Souza, Sybil Miranda, Denita Gomes, Franscesca von Geyer,
who have participated and some of them
continue to participate actively on the
Managing Committee.
In addition, there are many ladies who assist
the Committee continuously throughout
the year especially at the time of the

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Attentive Contestants at the
Annual Inter School English
Elocution Competition

Some BG Work force Christmas and New Year functions, the Member’s
day, Housie, and other social and cultural functions.
ROOTED IN CULTURE: In appreciation of their services, to the tune of a
East Indian festival at the popular refrain, during the fifties, it is affirmed that “the ladies of
Gymkhana Bandra Gymkhana are the Best of All”.

The Work Force

The oft forgotten lot that keeps an institution in functioning
order is the staff of that organization. In the Bandra Gymkhana,
our staff is regularly looked after in both personal and financial
matters.

Through the ages, we remember
our past and present staff and
acknowledge their sincere hard
work and dedication to our
gymkhana.
Col. A B C D’Mello was an
excellent Manager who looked
after the entire operations of
the Gymkhana. Among others
were Leo Concessio, Kerry Castellino, Arnold Gonsalves, George
Chettiyar and Brian D’Sylva. Lear Cardoz, Bona Ferreira & Jerry
Aguiar-Asst. Managers; Ralph D’Souza, Lawrence Mendonca,
Joaquim Fernandes, Adrian D’Souza – Cashiers; Nyrina Dos
Remedios, Marina Ferreira, Gail D’Souza, Lawrence Mendes,
Audrey Fernandes – office assistants; Susan Nunes - Secretary;
Candy Nazareth & Sharon Menezes – Library Assistants; Franco
Gonsalves & Thomas Rodrigues – Marshals; among the Guest
clerks were Ottie, Antoo Soares, Franklyn D’Souza, Rakesh
Parmar, Wayne Misquitta, Roland Gonsalves, Ronnie Aguiar,
Clarence D’Silva, Romeo Rodrigues, M G Gama, Leon Nunes;
Govind Kamble-our much loved tennis coach; Shivram
Gambre-watch man & gardener; Raoji Mahadeo-
watchman; our peons David Mascarenhas; Joseph
Pereira; Laxman Pawar and John Lobo.

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SOME BANDRA BUSINESS PEOPLE - MEMBERS OF BANDRA GYMKHANA

• S S Miranda Company • Universal Filtration • Warren Fernandes
S S Miranda, tool bits D'Souza bros from Chuim • Noel D'Lima
& saw blades • Milton D'Silva
• Artech Enterprises • Sydney Lobo
• Edison Continental Drug Co. Ajit Rodrigues • Christopher Lobo
Eddy Pereira • Terrance Couthino
• Bottling Equipment • J.H.Fernandes Decorators
• Crown Tobacco Co. George Fonseca • Marie D'Mello
Curzai Family
• Safety equipment
• Murzello Enterprises Hillary Fernandes
shot blasting machines
& painting systems • Steel plating unit
Joachim Fernandes

Among our current staff for the last two decades we owe

gratitude to Dallas Pereira, Zachary D’Souza, Christopher

Fernandes, Caroline Cabral, Jacinta Lobo, Parag Thakkar, in

managerial positions. Delrose Ferreira – Secretarial assistance;

Rosie Fernandes our Librarian; our sectional staff of Billiard

markers – Lawrence D’Souza & Mahesh Bhowad; Badminton

coaches – Bhiva Bhogale & Ralston Cabral; Tennis coaches –

Vinoy Parakunnil, Ramchandra Kharpe, Umesh Birajdar, Krishna

Mohan; Fitness centre coach – Brian Jacinto and our two senior

guest clerks – Vallie Barrow and Ramesh Mahadik, Arculius FUN TIMES: Children
Francis, Santosh Sawant, Kiran Fernandes, Rozario Fernandes for enjoying the Christmas
their unfailing support; and all the peons Bernard Lobo, Pradeep Tree function

Kutewala, Ramcharan Kori, Satish Umersingh, Deepak Tak,

Pradeep Bhosale, Rajpath Kori, Durga Kori, Dinesh DRESS IT
Jaiswal, Punwasi Pandit, Esperance Pereira and our COUNTRY STYLE:
Marshal – Michael Nunes and security guards that
keep our gymkhana safe and sound while we are Country &
asleep. Western Nite in
the Gymkhana

It is with pride that we salute our

gymkhana TODAY for truly being the

King of Gymkhanas in the Queen of

the Suburbs!

SENIORS HIP HOP: Dance show at a NATIVITY SCENES: Play on stage
Senior Citizens function (now obliterated)

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