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T
he Moran Polo & Gymkhana Club (MPGC) has
been known as one of the most active and eventful
planters’ clubs in Assam. In 1905, some British
planters and passionate polo players started using the
grounds to play this game. The stable housing the
thoroughbreds was located at Sepon, adjacent to the main
entrance gate, but has since been converted into servants’
quarters. In 1911, MPGC was formally established in a
small building, which is now used for pool and gym
purposes, next to the newly constructed existing club
building.The land belongs to Moran T.E. under Sivasagar
district and is about sixty kilometres away from Dibrugarh
town.Though in recent times it is facing a lot of problems
in terms of encroachment, it still has all the amenities such
as tennis courts, football ground, cricket ground, pool table,
gym, outdoor badminton court, fire place, a well stocked
library and of course the very popular covered swimming
pool. At present the club has a total of 85 members from
17 estates of Moran circle.
The club compound is located on a 6.66 hectare plot after
2.66 hectares were surrendered earlier in deference to the
Land Ceiling Act. The old building was renovated in the
year 2001, as on 21 June of the same year, a dozen
surrendered militants were shot dead in cold blood by
unidentified assailants inside the club premises.The entire
club building including the bar was damaged by bullets. In
2011, the bar was renovated to its present form when
Mr P.S. Dowerah and Mr F.P. Ansari were the President
and Honorary Secretary of the club respectively.
The Thowra golf course under MPGC is situated in the
midst ofThowra T.E.This 5836 yard 18-hole course, having
its share of 2-par-3 and 1-par-5 holes, is basically a flat
course, made artificially difficult with bunkers and ‘hullas’
in practically every hole.
The most challenging hole however, is the short 269-yard
4-par 4th hole where a massive ‘peepal’ tree stands directly
in the path of the tee off. Golfers confronted with this
obstacle at the tee have hesitated to take a decision –
whether to go over, through or under it, usually resulting in
messing up their shot. Unfortunately, not much is known
about the history of this course. Apart from the usual
in-house tournaments,Thowra holds three important PAF
fixture tournaments every year, namely the IDB, Captain’s
Prize and the Annual Meet tournaments.
In addition to sports, the members always look forward to
occasions like Bihu Nite, Swimming Gala, Men’s Nite,
Diwali Nite, Children’s Christmas Party, Barbeque Night
and Holi, apart from the other annual events such as New
Year’s Eve, Flower Show, Annual General Meeting and the
Annual Club Meet. The Mid-Rains Dance is the much
awaited event of Moran club, with each year witnessing an
increase in the number of revellers! No club event is ever
appreciated without one’s palate being well taken care of.
In this sensitive area,Moran Polo Club scores high with its
outstanding catering standards, taken care of by the talented
ladies.
The Club Centenary was celebrated in December 2012
with great enthusiasm. All the companies contributed funds
to make it a grand success. Around 300 guests were hosted
during the event, who participated in the celebrations.The
main attractions were golf, tennis, pool-side lunch and a DJ
night. Apart from these activities, souvenirs such as tee-
shirts and silk scarves with the MPGC logo were released
among the members and the guests. A competition was
owra Golf Course
~ Simanta Bordoloi
Dirai T. E.
The Moran Polo & Gymkhana Club
50 January 2016
January 2016 51