EJJI'S CLUBS
LIST OF CLUBS
Ejji is a member of these prestigious clubs.
The Madras Gymkhana Club (Estd. 1877) Member since 1983.
The Cosmopolitan Club (Estd.1873) Member since 1975.
http://www.cosmoclubchennai.com
The Presidency Club (Estd. 1929) Member since 1975.
Madras Race Club (Estd. 1777) # Member since 1976.
The Royal Madras Yacht Club (Estd. 1911) Member since 1977.
The Madras Boat Club (Estd. 1867) Member since 1975.
The Kodaikanal Club, Kodaikanal (Estd. 1887) Member since 1975.
www.thekodaikanalclub.com # The Madras Race Club was established in 1777 as a racing track to conduct horse races. The Madras Race Club was officially constituted in 1837 as a club. The club functioned till 1875. Racing again went through a tough phase owing to financial reasons. Finally, in 1887, the club was revived.
Ejji on Club Elections
I have seen the state of clubs for nearly 3 decades. I feel that the quality of members has drastically reduced. Everyone wants to be a member of a club, but the selectors fail to take on only "clubable persons" as members. The blame rests solely on the member who proposes someone new and the selection committee that decides to admit him.
I am ashamed of boards in a few clubs that display dress regulations and rules for cell phone usage. If a member is not aware of these rules, does not have social graces and not knowledgeable about etiquette in public places, the mistake lies with admitting him as a member of the club in the first place. After all in a club, only members or their guests can use the facilities. Is it not demeaning to put a board up mentioning the rules in force, when every member is expected to know and follow the rules? The onus on bringing guests rests with the member and he must ensure that his guest will fit into the atmosphere of the club and is made aware of the rules before bringing him into the club as a guest. Of course, there are some clubs where flouting dress regulations, abandoning etiquette before entering the club and not having social graces is de rigueur.
In earlier days, a member was 'invited' to join the Committee of Management by the President of the Club, to take advantage of the member’s expertise and knowledge in running the club efficiently. Today, club elections are on par with elections to the Indian Parliament. Now candidates canvas votes, give away gifts, entice votes from members with all sorts of offers.
I have never stood for election to any post in any club. I feel that getting elected to the Committee of Management of a club is just an ego trip to gain recognition for some persons. They are mostly persons who have failed to make a mark in their professions, and have not got any recognition in any other sphere of their non-professional activity. If one had time, money and intelligence, they should normally be spending it for themselves, their business or profession and their family. If you start spending it for getting elected to committees of management in clubs, then either your priorities are misplaced, or there is money to be made in managing the club. I am a voting member of all these clubs, but have never cast my vote in any election till today. Reason? I feel that it is of no concern to me, as to who runs the club.
ARTICLES THAT SHARE MY VIEWS
ABOUT CLUBS IN INDIA...................
The Madras Club began in 1832 in a garden house and is the second oldest social club in India after the Calcutta Club. By the 1850s, the club became a hub for British social life. Almost all writings on Madras of that time mention the club.
The Madras Boat Club is said to have been founded in 1867 on the backwaters of Ennore and moved to its present location on the banks of the Adyar River in 1892. The club's coat of arms and monogram, which is still in use, was adopted in 1898.
The Cosmopolitan Club began in 1873 for the local elite since the Madras Club was almost an exclusive British club. This club was considered the ‘best Indian Association in the whole of India' and was first located at Club House, Moore's Garden, Nungambakkam. It moved to its present location on Mount Road in 1882.
The Madras Gymkhana Club was started in 1884 on Island Grounds. In the beginning, membership was limited to Garrison members, British officials and Indian royalty. The club recently passed an ordinance through which women can become independent members.
