From marriage parties to national events, conferences, seminars, contests and others, it seems that the TIAC has become a favorite choice among people, especially the event organizers who are seen extensively opting for this venue. The reasons: one, since the Constituent Assembly came to occupy the Birendra International Convention Center (BICC) on September 15, 2007, the only second largest venue for event organizing left in the capital is the TIAC; and second and most importantly, the TIAC is chosen for its airy, spacious and secure characters. Moreover, it is centrally-located in the heart of Kathmandu in Sundhara.
“People are choosing Army Club for its huge party space, for security reasons and also due to availability of parking area,” an NA officer said.
Miss Nepal competition organized this year at TIAC saw insignificant protests outside the high-security Club gate except for some Maoist activists who gathered outside the West gate of the Headquarters, which is the entry to the venue. But there was no violence and no arrests were made. In comparison, the contest in 2007 had seen a huge crowd of protestors outside the BICC, where the event was organized then. The women rights activists and Maoist cadres shouted slogans against the event, which in their view portrayed women in ´bad light´ and that it “exposed the womenfolk” and was “an insult to women.”
Stretched over almost 50 ropanis of land, which now includes the newly-inaugurated Sabha Mandap building, inside the NA Headquarters, the Club is said to be making a net profit of approximately Rs 3.5 million a month after cutting the maintenance cost, electricity bills and other expenses. The TIAC charges Rs 5,000 from army personnel and Rs 35,000 for marriage parties and other private events per day. The venue cost for the new complex is Rs 40,000 per day.
“The collection from the Club is diverted to hosting Army Day (Falgun 7) function and the New Year Day (Baishakh 1) celebrations,” the source said, adding, “Occasional contribution from the Club is made toward the Army Golf Club and Tribhuvan Army Club.”
TIAC is said to have contributed Rs 1.5 million to the Army Golf Club last month alone. It falls under the supervision of the Directorate of Development and Construction of the NA.
The history of TIAC dates back to 2009 BS when the Club used to first run in a billiard room at Singha Durbar. It was called billiard house then. “But after the restructuring, a need for a separate officers´ mess was felt and the then Crown Prince Mahendra gave permission for the Club to be started inside the Headquarters,” the source said.
Since then, the TIAC was placed at various places inside the Headquarters until the new TIAC was inaugurated in 2055 BS.
The Club is already fully booked for the entire month of Mangsir, which marks the beginning of the next marriage season in the country.
akanshya@myrepublica.com
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