The Calcutta Swimming Club was established in 1887 by British merchants in the city who wanted to provide their junior staff members an affordable means of entertainment. Since then, the club has come a long way and evolved into a glorious institution. The club’s new president Nitin C Dani feels there has been a paradigm shift in the club’s profile and activities in recent times. The Telegraph caught up with him for a chat about his responsibilities and plans on taking the club forward. Excerpts.
The club has been buzzing with activity since you took over as president...
The club is doing very well at the moment and new facilities are being added every year. Even 10 years ago, we didn’t have too many activities except for swimming and snooker. Thereafter, we added a squash court followed by the card room, darts room and then the table tennis room. The last renovation was done when we built an air-conditioned, international standard badminton court. With all these facilities, CSC was in a position, for the first time ever, to host an inter-club carnival.We were happy to get the participation of around 10 of the top clubs in the city like Royal Calcutta Golf Club, The Saturday Club, Calcutta Club, Tolly Club, Dalhousie Institute, The Punjab Club, Bengal Rowing Club and Hindusthan Club. The week-long carnival was held in November and it was a grand success with hundred per cent participation in all sports. Everybody had a great time. Thereafter, we hosted a Pro-Am Snooker Championship. All national players from all over the country had come for that event.
Tell us something about your association with the club.
I became a member in 1978. I have a passion for snooker and so represented the club in snooker for almost 25 years at all inter-club tournaments. I have seen the club progressing at a very rapid speed in the last decade or so. Right now, it is a time for happy clubbing at CSC.
What are the other regular recreation or entertainment options at the club?
Darts has become a very popular game in our club since the last couple of years, especially among our younger members. We also have four weekly musical events. On Wednesdays, we have a band playing in the evening, on Fridays we have a karaoke evening where members can sing. Saturday evenings are for DJ music and on Sunday mornings, especially during summers, we have a jazz band performing. Another popular activity is the candlelight dinner for members on Thursday evenings. Tambola is again an old tradition at the club which is still continuing. Also, we are constantly adding something new to make things interesting for members. We have opened a few new food counters, introduced new cuisines in our menu. Initially we just had Tandoori and Chinese options. Now you can have South Indian fare, fast food options like rolls and tikia, Mexican food and many others too. Soon, we hope to have a pizza and burger counter as well.
A glimpse of The Calcutta Swimming Club
What does the club mean to you?
For any member, the club is like a second home. You always feel welcomed, you have a fellowship with the members, most of whom you have known for a very long time. Most importantly, as soon as you enter the club, you are free of all tensions. You can play any sport you want, relax, eat, invite your friends; for me, it is a place where I can never feel alone.
Is there anything that you would like to change in the club?
At the moment my focus is the club kitchen, which I want to make more hygienic. Next I want to renovate the main bar, followed by the dining hall and the lounge. Here I must also mention that our health club has been recently renovated. We also have a turf court on the terrace which should be ready for inauguration by Christmas. So now members will be able to enjoy indoor cricket, football or golf and we can have exciting contests too, that members can watch on a giant screen. We are in fact the first club in the city to have a turf court.
What are your favourite memories at the club?
Earlier, we had singing sessions at the club.... Since I am very fond of singing, I have some great memories of those times.
The outdoor swimming pool with its surrounding dining area
What else do you have in mind for the near future?
We will soon introduce a new app through which they can reserve a table, book home delivery of food, and so on. We are working on this at the moment and we will gradually add more value-additions to the app. So yes, its going to be a busy time for us in the committee, and a lot more to look forward to for our members.