Deccan Gymkhana Police station’s building completes 100 years
The Deccan Gymkhana Police station’s building entered into centenary year in 2021 and the grand celebrations were recently held at the Deccan Gymkhana Police station recently which saw presence of Amitabh Gupta, Commissioner, Pune Police as the chief guest.
Gupta said that history cannot be changed. The living example is Deccan Gymkhana Police station. For safety and security of the residents, Police is always ready but citizens should also come forward and cooperate with Police. Citizens and Police officials must give priority to their health, Gupta added.
The program saw presence of Dr Namdev Chavan, Additional Commissioner of Police (East), Bajrang Desai assistant commissioner, Vishrambaug division, Sushama Chavan, assistant commissioner of police, Deccan Gymkhana Club’s Vishwas Lohokare, general secretary, Jay Apte, chief trustee, Shrirang Reddy and members of L R Bhajekar’s family and Murlidhar Karpe, senior police inspector, Deccan Gymkhana Police station.
When was Deccan Gymkhana Police station established ?
Deccan Gymkhana was established in the year 1906, where under the club, the Deccan Gymkhana’s pavilion built in the name of then general secretary L R Bhajekar was inaugurated. The construct the building the stones were used from the quarry where no Tilak tank is situated. Bhajekar Pavilion also held classes for Bhave Primary school in 1922.
When the new building was constructed, the working of Deccan Gymkhana was shifted to the new building. Since, the World War II began in the same period, the same building also had a rationing office for citizens.
Pune’s renowned Ayurved Rasshala also held its production unit for a short period of time in Bhajekar pavilion.
Deccan Police station was first established near Garware bridge, Chitale Bandhu Shop, previously Datar bunglow, but due to lack of space the station was shifted to the Bhajekar pavilion on lease in 1955.
On July 12, 1961, Panshet dam caused havoc and the Bhajekar pavilion was also under water. To save the important documents and station diary, the then police staff held it in their hands by taking shelter on the rooftop of the police station. The flood line markings can still be seen at the Police station.
On 15 March 1964 Deccan Gymkhana approved of keeping a lockup facility in the building. Before the lockup was established the same premises had residential accommodation for the police staff. Police Havaldar Dalvi was the last Police staff residing here.
Even today, Deccan Police station is functioning from the same premises.
It is the only Police station to have its name inspired from a Gymkhana.
