Mumbai: A replica Ayodhya Gate rises in Worli

The National Sports Club of India NSCI Worli has decorated the clubrsquos main gate like the Ayodhya Mandir to celebrate the Ram Lalla Pran Pratisthan ceremony on January 22 in Ayodhya NSCI Mumbai amp Delhi president Viren Shah said the club thought it important to mark the momentous occasionShah also said the structure is ldquonearly 86 feet in length and 26 feet in height It is made of fibre and has taken approximately a week to completerdquo 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 eventrdquoShah said the clubrsquos member base of 15000 members and their families which makes it 50000 people wanted to be part of celebrations in whatever way possible ldquoNot everybody can go to Ayodhya yet we feel the spirit the divinity here toordquoSportingShah also said to a question that the club needs to use funds for sporting facility upgradation ldquoWe have a specific budget for every entertainment event like Christmas New Year Diwali gettogethers 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 sponsorsrdquoClub marks historic day in its own way PicShadab KhanThe occasion is being marked as it is epochal but sports remains the clubrsquos focus The president added ldquoWe have recently introduced a paddle court for paddle tennis a cricket pitch for cricket lovers and golf putting We have a womenrsquos throwball court and a football turf In April we are conducting the firstever Interclub championship where 12 clubs of Mumbai will compete with each other at the NSCIrdquo said Shah ldquoWe have sports in our name and live up to thatrdquo he statedInspiringHis words find resonance in Ram Kishore Singhirsquos sentiment who said ldquoLord Ram is an inspiration for allrdquo Singhi an active club member who will be distributing prasadam on the day said ldquoWe need not politicise and communalise an issue which is throwing the spotlight and laying a foundation for greater understanding of Indian culture and traditionrdquoRegional committee member Abbas Contractor said the club was proud to ldquomark a milestone in its own unique wayrdquo Club member Rajesh Mahnot endorsed that opinion and added ldquojoyousrdquo is particularly apt to describe the mood of the member base right now Chairman NSCI Mumbai Amit Menda explained ldquoA 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 RamrdquoClub officials and members pointed out that the clubrsquos gates are a high vantage visible point It is a trafficdense spot That space has wheels but will have heels too on January 21 morning They reminded ldquoOn 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 spotrdquo stated Shah The replica will be on site till January 26 Republic Day26 x 86 ftThe height and length of the structure