“The energy here is overwhelming as this ground is named after 4 great personalities – Swami Vivekananda, Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar, Maharana Pratap and Jamsaheb. The new generation will definitely get endless inspiration here. I congratulate Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha for the initiative he has taken to preserve our heritage,” said Suresh (Bhaiyaji) Joshi, former Sarkaryavah of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He was speaking at a programme organised to name and conduct the Bhoomi Poojan (ground worship) of the ground ‘Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Kridangan.’ For the first time in Mumbai, the ground has been reserved exclusively for Bharatiya games.
Under the initiative conceived by Mangal Prabhat Lodha, the Cabinet Minister of the Maharashtra Government, a separate ground has been made available exclusively for Bharatiya traditional games for the first time in Mumbai. This initiative has been implemented under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The open ground at Kurla ITI was named ‘Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Kridangan’, and Bhoomi Poojan was done. Along with this, the Government Industrial Training Institute, Govandi, Dist. Mumbai Suburban has been renamed as ‘Jamsaheb Mukadam Government Industrial Training Institute, Govandi’.
“Jamsaheb Mukadam, who worked selflessly for the society, is an inspiration to all of us. Despite being at the top of the legal profession, he left his charter at the age of 50 and took up social work. He could have easily retired and enjoyed material pleasures, but he chose to sacrifice all of it and contributed to the society. Today, in the presence of Bhaiyaji Joshi, it is a very remarkable matter that Govandi ITI is being named after Jamsaheb Mukadam,” said Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
Traditional Bharatiya games like Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Langdi, Malkhamb, Wrestling, Lagori, Lezim, Viti-Dandu, Paw Fight, Dand Baithak, Rope Jumping, Pavankhind Race, Rope Pulling, Fugadi, Surpatya, High Jump, Pakda-Pakdi, Surparambaya, Spinning Top, Aandhali Koshimbir, Hide and Seek will be given priority on this ground. Local players, as well as the younger generation, will get quality facilities and regular practice opportunities for these games. This initiative will be important in promoting Bharatiya traditional games and informing the new generation about the importance of these games.
The concept of this initiative was conceived by Mangal Prabhat Lodha to promote Bharatiya sports and attract the younger generation towards Bharatiya traditional sports. Earlier too, he provided a platform for Bharatiya sports and athletes by organising the ‘Krida Mahakumbh’ competition in the suburbs of Mumbai in December 2023. From March 2, 2025, a ‘Krida Mahakumbh’ of traditional Bharatiya games has been organised in Nashik for industrial and government institutions in the state.
