On this day, Calcutta became the home of the first Rotary club in Asia.
The initiative was taken by R.J. Combes, the manager of a steel products company. He had come across the Rotary club on a business trip to the US. Impressed by the “Friendship, fellowship, and service” motto, he wanted to start the club in the city and convened the first meeting on September 26, 1919, at Peliti’s, the famous restaurant.
The new club was chartered in January, 1920. All the 20 charter members were non-Indians.
The first Indian member was S.C. Rudra, who was inducted in 1921. The same year Surendranath Banerjee was made an honorary member.
The first Indian club secretary was Nitish C. Laharry, who took office in 1926. The first Indian president was A.F.M. Abdul Ali.