The Calcutta Swimming Club welcomes Gaurav Chohany as the new president, succeeding Siddharth Jhunjhunwala. Under Siddharth’s leadership, the club flourished and Gaurav is poised to continue that legacy while bringing fresh ideas to enhance the club’s vibrant community. His commitment, vision and passion for community engagement promise a new era of development and inclusivity. Here’s a t2 chat with the new president of CSC.

Congratulations! Your first feelings on becoming the president…

The Calcutta Swimming Club, according to my family, has always been my first home and not second. To have the members unanimously choose me as their president evokes a feeling of pride and immense responsibility. I just hope that my team and I can live up to their expectations and deliver the best clubbing experience in the city. It will always be my endeavour to keep the flag of our club flying high, as it has been for the past so many years.

For how long have you been a member?

I have been a member since 1997. But my association with the club goes all the way back to my formative years. My father used to bring us to the club throughout our childhood, and the club has transformed itself since then. I truly believe CSC played an integral role in my growth since my childhood.

How has the club evolved over the years?

From being an out-and-out swimming club back in the day, CSC can now proudly call itself an overall sports club which offers an unparalleled member experience. The club’s growth in the spheres of food and beverage and entertainment has also gone from strength to strength over the years. Over the last couple of years, we have had an upward shift in the number of younger members regularly using the club, and that is something we as a committee actively chose to pursue.

What are your favourite zones in the club?

The newly renovated Bar No. 1 is definitely the hottest spot in the club right now. I also personally feel at home in the outdoor pool area, where one can meet and greet all the members coming to the club. During the summer months, the lounge area has become very popular amongst young adults, especially for afternoon meetings in a more relaxed atmosphere. But after so many years, every area of the club now has memories attached to it for me.

What do you think is the USP of the club?

Our state-of-the-art sports facilities, especially the coaching programs for our members, along with their dependents, have been running to a packed house. Recently, workshops in other spheres are also being conducted by the Ladies Wing to curate experiences for our women members. Our club’s pricing and variety in the food and beverage department is a USP which comes to mind. With in-house catering by restaurants such as Amber, China Whites, Dosa Coffee, Yellow Straw, Jalapenos, Satyam, Home Slice, Flurys and Mama Mia, there is something for every member. As for our bar, it is probably the most well-stocked bar in the city. This is what keeps our members coming back for more.

What are your short-term and long-term plans for the club?

In the short term, I am committed to enhancing the experience of our members and increasing the longevity of our recently made facilities by implementing more modern and energy-saving techniques. The club has embarked on a mission to go paperless, reduce energy consumption and reduce wastage from F&B as well. These are causes where I believe that institutions should be socially responsible.Our long-term goal remains to provide our members with all sporting facilities under one roof, enhance our finances so that ample reserves are in store for any unforeseen events, streamline operations, and create proper management techniques so that documentation and workflow are in perfect order. This is so that future generations will always have a handy SOP to refer to in case of any problems.

What is your message for the members?

My message to our members is that please utilise the club as and when you can. This is your second home after all. We are already seeing a robust footfall and would like our members to take part in all our upcoming activities, from sports to entertainment. The committee and I are always at your disposal and can be reached out to if there are any questions or concerns. Members must reach out to us with their ideas, as this will help us in enhancing their experience at the club.