The Calcutta Swimming Club is one of the esteemed social clubs in the city that is known for organising entertaining and significant events around the year, spearheaded by the president and a set of committee members. This year, the club’s new president is Siddharth Jhunjhunwala who has been serving the club for 14 years. t2 caught up with him along with his fellow committee members about the plans for the club and more.
Vice-president Gaurav Chokhany (right) and president Siddharth Jhunjhunwala
Congratulations! What inspired you to take on the role of the club president?
From having spent my formative years at the club to being the sports captain and then spending over a decade in the committee, it was indeed a dream to lead this venerable institution. I am thankful to the members and my team for their support and trust.
Rahul Singhi, executive committee member and sports chairman, said, “We shall endeavour to continue encouraging the sporting culture, through the provision of world-class infrastructure and training facilities thus ensuring that the club flag is soaring higher”
What goals or vision do you have for the club during your term?
Firstly, it would be my ardent endeavour to make the ambience of the club member-friendly and to make all members feel warm at their home away from home. Secondly, having been an out-and-out sportsman all my life, it would be on my foremost agenda to continue the upgradation of our sporting infrastructure and keep the club colours flying high.
Vivek Mahansaria has been an executive committee member for five years. He takes care of finance, cost control, curtailing unnecessary expenditures and so on. He ensures optimum revenue from banquets and guest rooms and gives tailor-made solutions to members as required
How do you plan to encourage member engagement and participation?
I have always believed in encouraging the younger generation to participate in the training programmes; once the children are involved the parents automatically get involved. At our last Diwali event, we had a play by the members’ children about the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, which was extremely well received by the participants and the members at large. We plan to have more such events in the near future.
P.L. Mehta, executive committee member, said, “I am delighted to have served the committee for the past eight years. Earlier, being on the finance committee, we have successfully streamlined the financial and accounting functions of our club. We have brought in proper controls over time, making the system more efficient, transparent and prudent. We, together in the new committee are determined to achieve excellence, elevating our club experience for the benefit of all members.”
Are there any specific changes or improvements at the club you hope to implement?
The club has been wonderfully well, thanks to the untiring efforts of my predecessors. However, I would focus on greater member involvement in all aspects.
What challenges do you face being the new president and how do you plan to address them?
Honestly, my predecessors have done a fantastic job and it will be a significant challenge to fill them up. However, I am leading a very able and dedicated team and we shall continue to have the support of our last presidents, whenever required. With the above, I believe it should be smooth sailing!
Are you planning on collaborating with other city clubs or organisations for events?
We had been having inter-city sporting meets with our reciprocal clubs and other premier clubs in the country. Post-Covid, it had taken a back seat, we shall try and revive the same. Moreover, we are already in talks with several other leading clubs in the country for reciprocal arrangements.
How are you planning to ensure effective communication within the club?
Technology now plays an integral role in our daily lives and the impact it has had on the way we all communicate is huge. We at CSC will be ensuring the optimum utilisation of technology to communicate most effectively.
How can members contribute to the success of the club under your leadership?
The contribution of the members in any organisation is imperative, without which taking the institution to greater heights will not be possible. My team and I are always approachable to our members and put our best foot forward in implementing the suggestions of our esteemed members. The inclusiveness of the members is imperative in taking the club to greater heights. It is my earnest request to all members to please come forward with their suggestions and we shall be doing our best to implement the same as far as possible.
Being the new president, are you excited to organise any specific event?
This festive season we have an enviable list of entertainment programmes which will be the most talked about in the city. Moreover as mentioned earlier, it will also be on my agenda to revive the inter-city meets which will give our members a chance to interact with the members of our reciprocal clubs.