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Jamalpur Gymkhana, often referred to simply as Gymkhana coined during the British Raj for gentlemen's club) or Gym by its members, is an iconic institution located in Jamalpur, Bihar.
More than just a hostel, it serves as a club and a hub for young apprentice officers of the Indian Railways. Membership to this prestigious establishment is exclusive to those who have spent their formative years within its corridors, fostering a unique sense of camaraderie and tradition among its members, affectionately known as Gymmies.
Historical Background
The roots of Jamalpur Gymkhana are deeply intertwined with the history of the Indian Railways Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IRIMEE), one of India's oldest technical training institutes. Established in 1888 as a Technical School, IRIMEE began training Mechanical Engineering Officers for Indian Railways in 1927. To accommodate and nurture the apprentices, Jamalpur Gymkhana was built in 1929, providing a residential and social space for trainees undergoing the rigorous Special Class Railway Apprentice (SCRA) program.
Role and Significance
The Jamalpur Gymkhana has played a crucial role in shaping railway officers by providing them with an environment that blends rigorous technical training with recreational and social activities. It has been home to generations of Special Class Railway Apprentices (SCRAs), who lived there while completing their four-year undergraduate engineering training. The institute, located in the Munger (formerly Monghyr) district of Bihar, has long been a center of excellence for railway engineering and leadership.
Apart from being a hostel, the Gymkhana functioned as an exclusive club, fostering discipline, teamwork, and lifelong friendships among its members. Its alumni, many of whom have risen to significant positions within Indian Railways and beyond, continue to share a strong bond with the institution.
End of an Era: Discontinuation of the SCRA Program
For decades, the SCRA examination was one of the most competitive recruitment processes in India, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). However, in 2015, the Indian Railways decided to discontinue the SCRA recruitment program after UPSC expressed its reluctance to continue conducting the examination. Though the SCRA examination, a highly competitive one, by the Union government was discontinued fin 2015 for various reasons the legacy of Jamalpur Gymkhana continues today through its alumni and the institution's continuing role in training IRSME (Indian Railways Service of Mechanical Engineers) officers and conducting specialized courses for railway professionals.
Conclusion
Jamalpur Gymkhana stands as an enduring symbol of tradition, excellence, and engineering brilliance in Indian Railways that began long ago turning out the finest railway officers, shaping their careers and fostering an unbreakable bond among its members. The Jamalpur Gymkhana continues to inspire and influence railway professionals in India.
https://www.navrangindia.in/2021/12/jamalpur-gymkhana-jamalpur-bihar-built.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamalpur_Gymkhana
https://www.quora.com/What-is-famous-in-Jamalpur