Jamalpur Gymkhana - The Gymkhana Way

The Gymkhana Way

Life at Jamalpur Gymkhana is a healthy blend of academics, practical workshop training, sports, cultural activities and travel.

The spirit of the place is embodied in the 'Armorial Bearings and Code of Conduct of the Jamalpur Gymkhana'.

The wings of progress are placed prominently on top with a pair of calipers passing through them indicating a practical measuring instrument symbolizing control by measurement. The shield is equally between the tiger representing strength and proud leader among living creatures of the world and an assembly of a shaft running through the boss of a spoked wheel which typifies design, machinery and production.

The scroll above the shield carries the motto “Sapientia Et Labor”, Latin for wisdom and labour. The free translation would appropriately be through theory and practice.

The colours are Maroon, White and Green. Maroon for strength and depth of learning, white for purity and balance of approach and green for nature realism and practice.

The Gymkhana is a mini society; isolated from the rest of the town by a stark contrast of lifestyle. Gymmies, as its inhabitants refer to themselves, learn quickly that a society can thrive only if it establishes guiding principles and cherishes its values. The member elected Management Committee upholds a Code of Conduct that is widely respected by the Gymkana

• Self-discipline is the most important discipline
• Give to others freely and deserve to receive
• The most valuable assets one could hope to acquire are the qualities of a gentleman
• Traditions of an institution are held in trust by its members
• Neglect not a sacred duty

Even though the institution is more than the brick and mortar that has gone into the building, the abode that special class apprentices spend 4 of their formative years and the environment deserve description. First the environment. Nestled amongst lovely hills with seasonal water falls, Jamalpur is an ideal place for a young person to pursue his vocation. Just following the monsoons and in winter the place has a picture post card quality. And before you enter Jamalpur Gymkhana you pass via a golf course adding a flavour to the place you are about to enter.

The building itself is situated in some 20 acres (81,000 m2) of land and has some 60 large rooms. Play facilities abound and the young person who is fortunate enough to enter the portals sporting challenges abound. As to academic pursuits one has to only experience the healthy rivalry to realise why some of the brightest sparks in Indian Railways have come out of the institution.

Although the total number of SCAs thus far (till 2009) have been about 1500, the Gymkhana alumni have a very strong old-boys' network. Nothing exemplifies this better than the Annual Club Day celebrations, held every year on the 14th of February, when the alumni have nostalgic get-togethers at more than two dozen locations worldwide.

Jamalpur Gymkhana alumni have carved out a niche for themselves all over the world, on Indian Railways, other Ministries of the Indian Government, Pakistan Railways, Private sector enterprises and institutes of higher learning.