Grant Government Medical College Students’ Association fears with management being transferred to govt body, prized Marine Drive grounds will slip out of their hands
Students gather at the GMCSA gymkhana to protest the management takeover. Pic/Aditi Alurkar
Unhappy with the recent shift in control of the Grant Government Medical College Students’ Association (GMCSA) Gymkhana, a group of 60 to 80 medical students gathered at the gymkhana grounds near Marine Drive on Friday morning. The gymkhana currently includes an open field, old sports facilities, and a cricket pitch shared with the Police Gymkhana.
Earlier this year, management of the GMCSA Gymkhana was transferred from the college’s elected general secretary to a government-appointed body. The new committee includes representatives from the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, officials from the Medical Education and Pharmaceuticals Department, the dean, the student general secretary, and the superintendent of Sir JJ Group of Hospitals.
Students fear this shift will erode their longstanding access to what has traditionally been a student-governed space. “The gymkhana was always managed by us. We handled everything for intercollegiate and intracollegiate events. With the new governing body, we fear the gymkhana will no longer remain accessible to students,” said general secretary Rishikesh Shinde, a third-year medico.
He added that students have written multiple letters to the new committee but have received no response. “We’re also hearing about plans to build a clubhouse, which is worrying. This space has always existed for sports, cultural events, and student well-being. We want it to stay that way,” he said. The gathering dispersed shortly after the Marine Drive Police informed the students that protests are only permitted at Azad Maidan.
Official Speak
Dr Ajay H Bhandarwar, dean, Grant Government Medical College, said, “The gymkhana is government property, which is why the future course of action may be decided by the government. A few months ago, medical authorities had called the students as well as the college members for a meeting at the medical education department in Mantralaya. Students are apprised of updates relating to the Gymkhana"
Why gymkhana matters
A rare open space where medical students unwind, play sports, and safeguard their mental health Venue for sports and cultural events, especially cricket matches
Alumni Speak
“The gymkhana has always been central to GGMC’s culture. Since the late 60s, sports like hockey, cricket, badminton and table tennis were actively played. But due to rising academic pressure and mismanagement, the culture has declined,” said Dr Deepak A Palande, neurosurgeon and GGMC alumnus.
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