clublife
February 2015 • Vol. 2 • No. 19
www.delhigymkhana.org.in
A monthly inhouse newsletter
Delhi Gymkhana Club, 2, Safdarjung Road,New Delhi 110011
for private circulation only
heart-warming. Such bonhomie and esprit-de-corps at the
start of the New Year portends well for the coming months.
Dear Members,
From the
President’s
Desk
I am sure that I speak on behalf of all when I say that 2014,
the year gone by, was a period of fun, frolic and festivities
at the Delhi Gymkhana. The Club was rocking with events
one better than the other. I therefore take this opportunity
to compliment the Members of your General Committee
who are working together in complete harmony and make
a great team.
The New Year at the club witnessed a musical bonanza.
Shibani Kashyap and her troupe were a delight and ensured
a large tour-out on the dance floor. The Kashmir Lawns
were decked up as never before, with a lavish spread to suit
the palate of one and all. The members’ enthusiasm was
contagious, with young and old in high ‘Spirits. The Grand
Ball Room had Rocky’s Band in full zest which made for
‘nonstop’ dancing. With Good Cheers inside the Centenary
Bar was John Chakravorty’s Band belting out music for
‘All Ages’ with a great symphony of Piano, Saxophone and
the guitar. The fervour with which 2015 was welcomed at
the Delhi Gymkhana was palpable. I must compliment
the spirit and verve of the members in making the event a
success, notwithstanding the heightened security measures,
that were unavoidable.
Close at heels followed the Lohri Celebrations on 10th
January. Crackling fire with traditional revari, peanuts
and popcorn cockled up the hearts. ‘Wizent’ group further
revved the evening with adrenalin pumping Punjabi folk
music and dances. The footfall despite the cold weather was
The renovation of the swimming pool, changing room
and new store room are in full swing. All efforts are being
made by your Works and Housing Committee in getting
the work completed on time. If things go as planned, we
should be ‘splashing’ in March which would make a perfect
backdrop for the Annual Sports Dinner during that month.
Other infrastructure projects are also in focus. Efforts are
on for setting up a “solid waste treatment” plant to enable
the Club to suitably treat the waste and improve the upkeep
of the club. An MOU with Azure Solar Power Solutions
has already been signed, aimed at harnessing Solar Energy
for reducing the power bills which average about Rs.20
lakhs per month, a major item of expenditure. Plans are also
being drawn up to bring down all over-head wiring in the
Club premises and to lay all electrical cables underground.
Once this work is completed, all roads and parking bays in
the Club are due for fresh carpeting to be completed within
March 2015.
The Catering Sub-Committee has been working feverishly
churning out high-quality meals at very reasonable prices.
The roaring business on Xmas and New Near with record
sales of 615 kgs of assorted cakes and cake pudding is a
testimony to the substantive improvements made both in
the quality of our confectionary items as also their display
and presentation.
These efforts were complemented by the very ‘Spiritual’
efforts of the Bar and Beverages Sub-Committee through
a variety of promotional liquor and whisky appreciation
events. Notwithstanding, the frequent demand for more
“Ladies Night” have been received and I am sure that the
Chairperson will not disappoint us on that score.
The sprawling Tennis Courts have been very active right
through the winter months. Penninsular Tennis Academy
conducted a sports clinic of budding tennis players, under
the tutelage of world renowned tennis coach Ludovit Cap.
It was heartening to witness the young turks wielding their
tennis rackets with professional ease. We intend to have
clublife
February 2015
several tennis events in the coming months where our club
members will rub shoulders with diplomats and teams from
abroad.
As the harsh winter of January begins to dissipate, the
Club is looking even more appealing with myriad hues and
colours of flowers. The garden produce has been plentiful
and the good efforts of the Estate Manager and his malis
has generated sales of approximately Rs.35,000/- of
‘pesticide free’ green veggies to our members during the last
two months.
The Knowledge Club took a short break in January, with
the Chairperson out on a short vacation. I am sure that
we are in for a surfeit of events from February onwards.
The improved weather and the budding flowers in the
Rose Garden will no doubt make an ideal backdrop for the
intellectually stimulating events on the anvil.
first EGM shortly for which three Resolutions are under
legal scrutiny. The General Committee is also exploring
the possibility of seeking the mandate of the General Body
through a subsequent EGM to grant limited ‘usage’ rights
to the various family members of Permanent Members etc.
who are presently required to use the Club as “Guests”. Your
Membership Sub-Committee has been tasked to frame
the Draft Rules & Regulations for such usage and their
recommendations will be informed to all Members through
the “Club Life”, as soon as these have been approved by the
General Committee.
I am sanguine that with our collective efforts, we shall find a
legally sustainable way forward keeping the best interest of
our cherished Club.
Once again, wishing all Members and Staff a Very Happy
New Year !
Members would be happy to note that the Hon’ble Delhi
High Court has conveyed their permission for your Club
to hold EGM’s, as planned. We hope to schedule the
Lohri Celebrations
2 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in
Bhai Vijay Chhibber, President
clublife
February 2015
Freedom
“Where the mind is without fear
and the head is held high
where knowledge is free...
into that heaven of freedom, my Father,
let my country awake.”
Rabindranath Tagore
A
s we commemorate our 66th
Republic Day with a show
of military muscle and cultural
heritage the words of our Nobel
Laureate Rabindranath Tagore
come to mind. A five thousand
year old civilisation whose
philosophy, literature and art have
influenced the world since the
dawn of recorded history, we are
justifiably proud of our heritage
and achievements.
For almost a month I was away,
“Down Under” (Australia) during the Christmas / New Year
period. What were started as penal colonies where convicts
were stowed away by the British, have coalesced and emerged
today as a vibrant country with a caring society. It is an
amalgam of the East and the West with large numbers from
Asian countries working and adapting to the prevalent rules,
conditions and culture. Settled mainly along a coast line with
low rolling hills overlooking coves, caring for nature and
blending into the landscape, complete self contained colonies
have been built overlooking the ocean. The footpaths along
the roads are so clean that people sometimes walk barefoot
on them. Every council (equivalent of our RWA) takes
extreme care of the aged and the children. There is no fear,
but there is respect for the law. A sports and outdoor loving
people, one comes across a happy, vibrant, healthy society
with their values intact. A cultural mainstream that shares its
values, hopes and aspirations. Barring minor and untoward
incidents the law and order situation is fully under control.
During my entire stay of over a month I did not feel the
presence of any policeman except at the airports, where they
moved around quite casually with no attempt to intimidate. I
am sure they must be keeping an eye on everything but there
was never a conspicuous presence. Women and children are
safe and secure.
As regards the safety of women, somehow I felt that there
was a distant connect with us. In the run up to the Gymkhana
elections, one evening, I was in a conversation with a young
lady sitting alone, nursing a drink at the Centenary Bar. She
told me that the Gymkhana club was one place in Delhi
where she felt perfectly safe and secure. She was free to do
what she wanted to, amidst a caring society which abided by
rules and norms of decorum and decent human behaviour.
The Gymkhana family can be justifiably proud of this.
Editorial
With regard to the Knowledge Club we are inviting Shri Shiv
Khera, Shri Gurcharan Das and Shri Harish Salve on dates
indicated on the last page. For the library, we will be holding
a meeting for the readers panel at the Jamun Tree at 1130 am
on sat 21 Feb 2015. This will enable the members to interact
and express their views in the winter sun, and thereafter move
for lunch on the Kashmir Lawns should they wish to do so.
The pressing need for a technological upgrade of the library is
the main agenda, as also the need to improve the ambience of
the reading room. The views of members on these and allied
aspects is welcome.
The computer courses are being handled very well by a
qualified expert. The next one commences on 03 Feb 2015
and will be held in the Jamun Tree to avoid disruption to the
children’s library and the Cyber Centre. Details of the next
computer course have been placed on the notice board as also
sent by email to all members.
While expressing their thanks for the wordings of “Auld
Lange Syne,” some members wanted to know the meaning
and background of this song. From what I know, this was a
poem adapted by Robert Burns and came into prominence
when the Scots, Irish and Welsh joined the multitudes
escaping the suffocating religious and autocratic hold of
society in Europe choosing to seek their fortunes in the New
World (America). As ships carried them away tearful parents
and family bid farewell to their loved ones knowing fully well
that they may never see them again. These settlers carried the
song and traditions with them to America as also throughout
the world. It was also gradually adopted to farewells including
New Year occasions as people bid farewell to the year gone by.
“Auld Lange Syne” basically means “long long ago” or “for the
sake of old times”, and the rest of the meanings fall into place.
We are attempting to compile the history of our Gymkhana
Club. Those members who have any material in terms of
photographs, articles or the like may kindly share it with the
club by handing over photocopies to the Chief Librarian.
May I once again request that you send in your articles and
other inputs latest by 20th of the month to enable me to
release the magazine by the 1st of the subsequent month.
Issue of the magazine later tends to reach the members after
the first few events have already taken place.
Articles may kindly be sent to my email address gurdipuban@
gmail.com.
All the best till we meet again next month.
3 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in
G S UBAN
clublife
February 2015
Works & Housing Sub Committee
V
arious works are in hand, and others are
under planning. The Swimming Pool/
Change Room’s renovation work pending
since last year has started. Before undertaking
this work the previously approved scope was
carefully examined, with the help of Structural
Engineers who determined that we did not
need to raze the entire existing construction. After careful
examination it was decided to change the scope of work, and
the final tender awarded by us for this project now is Rs 79.51
lacs against the earlier tendered amount of Rs 97.93 lacs, a
saving of Rs 18.42 lacs. The work is now in full swing and it
is estimated that, the Pool basin will be re-commissioned by
first week of March, and the change rooms by mid April. A
Porto cabin arrangement will be made when the pool basin
is ready to enable members to use it till the change rooms are
available.
The Main Store / Staff Canteen Roof/Renovation/Interior
work was taken in hand in December with a Tender of Rs 15
lacs approx., and is likely to be completed before end-Feb. This
area keeps stores whose inventory exceeds 2500 items, and we
are examining if and how we can reduce these numbers. For
this work we negotiated the Architect’s fee from our existing
5% to 3%, and will attempt to do so for other contracts also.
The projects under planning are renovation of the Party
cottage including furniture, and the improvement of roads
within the Club. There are many other small works of
Maintenance/Repair nature. The approval for the work on
our Major Project of additional buildings in the Club is
presently pending with the Delhi Urban Arts Commission
& Heritage conservation committee, but we are working with
the Architects etc. to finalize details so that start-up time,
when the permission is given, is minimal.
The work of the solar project on the Clubhouse roof has
started, and you should see panels arriving any day now.
The Liquid and solid Waste project is in the final stages of
negotiation.
But we need your help. It has been noticed that whenever
a project finishes e.g. new Bridge Room and Ladies Cloak
Room, we get a lot of ideas and pressure from members to
redo things done. This not only delays matters but also adds
on to expenditure. So members are requested to give their
suggestions before the start of the project rather than after
completion. Let us assure you that the GC involves and
consults a lot of users in planning, but it may not meet the
desires of all.
Food & Catering
Sub Committee
I
t gives me immense pleasure to inform you that
expression of interest is being issued for a fine
dine restaurant by converting Cottage No. 38-40 to
meet the demands/aspirations of the members.
Our Chefs are in the process of trial for eggless
cakes/pastries to fulfill the long outstanding requests
of the members. And these are likely to be introduced in coming
days.
Another Biryani festival to tickle the taste buds of the members is
being planned for 28th Feb and 1st March 2015 at the Kashmir
Lawns.
To motivate our staff to perform better, we
have introduced a worker of the month award
to be judged on the basis of personal grooming,
innovative ideas and dedication & continuous
proficiency in their profession.
I am happy to inform you that the first award
has been bagged by Mr. M. Ganeshan Chef
(Confectionery).
We look Forward to your feedback, to help us improve further.
Brig BC Rana (Retd.)
Karamjit S Bedi
Administration Sub
Committee
W
e thank our members for their
co-operation in implementing
security guidelines during the month
specially
during New Year Eve
Function. Hard work put up by
Members of the General & Security
Staff was appreciated by the General
Committee, Members of the Club and their guests.
Over 2000 members of the Club and their guests (about
600) attended the function. All of them appreciated
the Décor, Entertainment, Drinks, Food and Service
provided by the Club. Members mentioned that such
an excellent New Year Eve Function has rarely been
organized earlier.
Some members have suggested to increase numbers
of guests on particular functions, and for evening and
winter lunches on Saturdays & Sundays, perhaps, with
higher guests charges for additional guests. We need
your views.
Please email to us your views of any other suggestion
for improving Club Service and Security of members.
4 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in
SC Khanna
clublife
February 2015
Finance Sub
Committee
T
he Finance Sub
C o m m i t t e e
reviewed the Internal
Audit Systems and to
further strengthen the
Internal Audit systems,
we have appointed
KPMG as the Internal Auditors of the
Club, with no major difference in the
cost.
FSC is also in the process of reviewing
the Guest control system and to further
computerize and strengthen it. Kiosks
are likely to be put up at all entry
points where it would be obligatory for
members to swipe their cards and enter
the number of Guests and their names.
The computerized records as regards
to the email IDs of members has been
updated and there is a need to gradually
adapt the green revolution to send e-bills
and e-newsletters wherever possible.
We are also trying to economize the
courier cost to the club by clubbing the
Newsletter and Monthly bill together.
FSC is also taking steps where it can
economize on the expenditure being
incurred by the club by review of the
tendering system, increase the number
of bidders & items to be tendered.
The Club has lost a case in the Supreme
Court regarding E.S.I. liability which
it was contesting since 1985. The
quantum of total liability is still being
established.
Rupinder Anand
To steal ideas from one person is
plagiarism. To steal from many is
research.
War does not determine who is right –
only who is left.
We never really grow up, we only learn
how to act in public.
The Colour of Mehndi
He was the very embodiment of politeness
R
eading some years ago about the
famous singer, Daler Mehndi,
being
branded
a “proclaimed
offender”, I was reminded of my own
interaction with him in 1995. It was
a classic study of how people could
change. Or do they really, considering
that the police hastily withdrew the
case against him.
Our son was to be married that
November. We had heard about this
rising singer and decided to book him
for the ‘Sangeet’ festivities. It was to
be a glittering event, jointly hosted by
the parents of the bride and groom.
We called on Mehndi around May
and booked him for the grand sum
of Rs. 25,000; 10,000 was paid in
advance. In addition to the balance
of 15,000, he would of course pick up
the “varna” (money generally circled
around the youngsters’ head by their
elders and then given to performers).
Around August, a prominent daily
carried a report on this emerging new
star and how he was commanding
fees of over a lakh at weddings. We
were alarmed. Our budget didn’t
permit such a large sum and I didn’t
see how he would do it for less with
all the bookings at his command. We
decided to call on him.
As we reached the modest home,
there was the great Mehndi himself
– clad in a lungi and vest – to greet
us at the door. “Aao ji, ji aayan noo
(please come, welcome),” he said in
chaste Punjabi. “Tuadi ki seva kar
sakda (what can I do for you)?” The
guy was politeness personified. Tea
and snacks awaited us in the small
sitting room. We were wondering if
the warm welcome was genuine or a
prelude to a shocker.
We came straight to the point. Our
booking had been made several
months ago and the agreed rate was
Rs. 25,000. We’d read that he was now
charging over one lakh. We hoped
he would honour his commitment.
All through our monologue, Mehndi
heard us with an amused expression.
Once we had finished, he spoke –
even more politely than before :”Tusi
sochya vi kiven ke main apna vada
nahin nibhavan ga. Ik wari jo gal ho
gayi ho gayi. Main tuada show pachi
hazaar wich karanga chahe meri fees
panj lakh ho jave. Wahe guru nain chaha
te jaldi ho joye gi (How could you even
think that I’d not keep my promise?
A commitment’s a commitment. I’ll
do your show for 25,000 even if my
rate becomes five lakh. God willing
it will soon).”
We heaved a collective sigh of relief.
Here was a gentleman who respected
values. He wanted all the money in
the world – indeed was confident
of earning big fees – but wouldn’t
compromise on ethics. “He will
surely go far,” we told ourselves, as we
trooped out, once again escorted by
Mehndi.
Mehndi and his troupe came to our
venue around 8 pm. It was at 2 am
that they had to be smuggled out of a
back door because the youngsters just
couldn’t have enough of their songand-dance routine. The humble
sardar thankfully accepted our
balance of Rs. 15,000. It is another
story that the varna probably added
up to another 25,000.
Law of proposal
After you accept a proposal you will get a better one...
Law of getting late
When you reach early for something it will never start on time
5 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in
Krishan Kalra
clublife
February 2015
The curious incident of the dog in the night-time
I
n 1892 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the British crime writer,
wrote a short story titled ‘Silver Blaze”. It was based on a
famous racehorse by that name that disappeared just before
an important race. The case was complicated and Sherlock
Holmes was called in by Scotland Yard to help solve it. I
give below an extract from the story:
Gregory (Scotland Yard detective): “Is there any other point to
which you would wish to draw my attention?”
Holmes: “To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time”
Gregory: “The dog did nothing in the night-time”
Holmes: “That was the curious incident”.
Apparently the person who stole the horse was known to
the dog who, therefore, did not bark or raise an alarm. Only
Sherlock Holmes noticed it and solved the case.
About 60 years after Silver Blaze was published, another
curious incident of a dog in the night-time took place. It
happened within our very own Delhi Gymkhana Club.
Allow me to tell you the story.
In the mid-fifties my mother, Shakuntala Batra, an avid
bridge player, used to drive the family car to the club. She
had a small pet dog who was very fond of her. Earlier she
used to leave the dog at home, but the rest of the family
would complain that he would wail continuously while she
was away. So my mother took to bringing him to the club.
She would leave him in the back seat of the car and keep one
of the windows half open, to let some air in. After a while
the dog settled down nicely to this new routine and would
take an occasional nap while my mother played bridge. Soon
the other players got to know about my mother and her dog,
not without some amusement.
One of the bridge players was a senior journalist friendly
with my mother. One day he had to leave the club early to
go home. After quite some time he came back to the Club,
re-entered the card room and headed straight to the table
where my mother was concentrating hard on how to make a
little slam. “Mrs Batra”, he exclaimed angrily, “see what your
dog has done!” Taken aback she could only stammer “What
…what has he done?” He replied “Your dog somehow got
into my car. I noticed him only when he started barking as
I reached home. I have wasted forty minutes driving to and
fro to return your dog to you. Please remove him from my
car. I don’t want him to bite me if I try it”. My mother could
only apologize profusely, lay down her cards, concede the
game to her opponents and hurry to the car park.
When she got to the car, the dog was in the back seat
wagging his tail on seeing her. She wondered how the dog
had got out of her car (“Ah, the half opened window!”) and
into the other. When she opened the door to reach out to
the dog, she noticed there was a dent on the side of the car.
What a coincidence! Her car had a similar dent in the same
place. She then glanced at the number plate. Realisation
dawned. This was her car!. In those days there were just three
makes of cars with rudimentary keys. The key of one could
sometimes be mistakenly used for another car, especially if
it was the same model. In the wintry darkness of the car
park, the journalist hadn’t noticed that he had driven off
in my mother’s car. Also the dog, presumably thought he
was being taken home and did not bark till the journalist
noticed him and was surprised that the driver was not my
mother.
It was now the turn of the journalist to apologize. He and
my mother returned to the card room to regale the players
about the curious incident of the dog in the night-time!
Ravi Batra (P 0501)
Do You Know...?
This is awesome- I bet you did not know
this
Letter a, b, c & d do not appear anywhere
in spellings of 1 to 99.
Letter d comes for the first time in
HUNDRED
Letters a, b, & c do not appear anywhere in the spellings
of 1 to 999
Letter a comes for the first time in THOUSAND
Letter b & c do not appear anywhere in the spellings of 1
to 999,999,999
Letter b comes for the first time in BILLION & letter
c does not appear anywhere in the spellings of entire
ENGLISH COUNTING except in COUNTING.
How do you like that.
Ashok Kumar Ahooja, Sqn Ldr (Retd)
To see what is right, and not to do it,
is want of courage.
Study the past if you would define the future.
Before you embark on a journey of revenge,
dig two graves.
Recompense injury with justice
and kindness with kindness.
Confucius
6 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in
clublife
February 2015
Gandhi
Be the change you want to see in the world.
– M.K. Gandhi (1869 – 1948)
P
ersons setting precedents for thought and action often
come to Mind, when one thinks of great leaders. Such
individuals have an ever-growing influence over their
fellowmen in whatever sphere of life they develop their
expertise.
Gandhi was one such person who strikes me often. He was
a social reformer, freedom fighter, and espoused peace and
brotherhood amongst people. He advocated Panchayati
Raj institutions, worked for the removal of untouchability,
and believed in religious tolerance and widow remarriage.
He was ahead of his times in many ways. He encouraged
water and environmental conservation. Although a lawyer
by profession he believed in out of court settlements
whenever possible. His thoughts and actions have had a
considerable influence over Mankind, and not just in India.
He was a prolific writer - endowed with a wry sense of
humor as well - from where we have access to how his
mind worked and many of his important thoughts. Not
only where the ends he achieved but also the means he
developed to attain them relevant, to become the architect
of India’s Independence. Now a days when we talk of
ethics, values and corporate social responsibility it is all the
more so. Many great leaders including the Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela adapted his ideology
in their parts of the world and successfully achieved what
they set out to do.
Such leaders have had a cascading effect over the way the
rest of us are impacted in our lives. So often besides being
gifted such persons have certain eccentricities that can be
overlooked in the light of and as a balance to their very
desirable and effective abilities.
Gandhi belonged to that rare breed of Great Men who go
down in History for the ideas they propagated and feats
they achieved. Amidst a difficult period in India’s freedom
struggle he was a conscience of the nation and strategies
he adopted left the opposition without any ready answers.
Winston S. Churchill the great Prime Minister of Great
Britain and a critic of Gandhi would have retrospectively
realized his own previous writings singing paeans of such
a leader. It was his conviction that India was not fit to rule
itself. Having spent his days as a young army officer in
India he was familiar with the Indian context. However
convinced he was to the contrary the British Empire saw
it’s Jewel in the Crown defeating this belief.
There are those that say Gandhi was not responsible for
India’s Independence and circumstances conspired to this
nation’s benefit with or without this “great leader.” But as
most students of History would appreciate there is no one
to one relationship in any situation.
As the times in Gandhi’s life illustrate India would have
been very different without him had it got it’s independence
in some other manner. His Satyagraha (truth force) &
Fasts as well as the Dandi March were strokes of genius,
which are unique to Gandhi alone. The hold he had over
the rest of the leaders of the land, as also the Masses are
unprecedented in recent Indian history. Simply put the
force of his personality was remarkable by any stretch of
the imagination.
On 30th Jan. 1948 India and this world lost Gandhi to
an assassins bullets after 5 unsuccessful attempts on his
life the earliest one being on 25th June 1934. Anyone
interested in his life would do well to read Louis Fisher’s
biography although there are many other good books on
Gandhi. Louis Fisher a very fine American journalist
lived with Gandhi in Sabarmati Ashram for a while and
has done adequate justice to his subject. Incidentally the
Academy Award film on Gandhi was based on this book.
In conclusion most of the overwhelming majority of
decision makers at home and abroad realize the pivotal
part in Modern Indian history that Gandhi played. India
and indeed the world are indebted to this great leader who
deservedly earned the Father of the Nation epithet. Until
we are graced by another leader who can bring about a
similar paradigm shift in the current flow of the present
times we so desperately require one can safely say that
this ancient awakened land of ours will never be the richer
without such a Man.
I should end here with a quote that is apt in our times –
“An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.” Gandhi
7 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in
Deepak Jain (U 1318)
clublife
February 2015
Club Achievers
Mrs. Neera Dhawan
wife of Mr. Raaj
Dhawan
(P-3251)
has been unanimously
elected president for
a 2 year term [201416], of the prestigious
worldwide established NGO, The
quota Club of New Delhi. The
Quota Club is an international
service organization which looks
after the needs of destitute women
and children and has a membership
which boasts of the society’s elite
including well known professionals
heads of industry and prominent
social workers. It has its own building
in Faridabad in which it runs a school
for poor children, a Nurse training
centre and a vocational Centre
wherein handicrafts are taught to
poor women which are sold by club to
its members and which proceeds are
utilized to sponsor the club’s projects.
Mrs. Dhawan has been a dependant
member of this club, being the
daughter of Justice AN Grover, former
Supreme Court judge, and is the wife of
a former committee member. She is a
philanthropist in heart, spirit and deed
and her achievement is most worthy of
a Gymkhana member.
c
Dr. Charu WaliKhanna esteemed
member of the Club and former
Committee Member was honored by
the Chief Justice of India and Minister
of Law & Justice on Law day. She is
the only member of the Supreme Court
Bar Association to have received this
honor 9 times.
Madhavi
Khanna
(G6381),
granddaughter of Brig
DN Khanna (P1919)
and daughter of Mr
Amit Khanna (P6354)
has been selected to
undergo Master of Law
(LLM) programme in
International Criminal Law and Justice
at Turin University, Italy under the
aegis of UNO.
c
A worldwide competition inviting
writers to contribute for a book was
held.
Shilpa Gupta, wife of
Lt Col Mukul Satya
Gupta’s travel story was
selected along with 19
top international travel
writers (some of them
being award winning writers).
The book is now published and available
around the world.
Shilpa was a journalist with India
Today, NDTV and Indian Express. Her
last appointment was Deputy Editor
of Marie Claire magazine before she
decided to take a break/freelance.
c
In the honours list of Republic Day
2015 there is a “Padma
Shri” for Dr Nikhil
Tandon
(Professor
of
Endocrinology,
AIIMS). His wife
Radhika
Kunte
Tandon is professor of
Ophthalmology (AIIMS). Dr Tandon
(U0722) has a Phd from Cambridge
Universtity.
c
c
Binda
Parshad
of
Housekeeping
recovered and handed
over a smartphone to
the owner/member of
the club
8 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in
42nd World Bridge
Championships 2015
Final Ladies Selection Trials
for Venice Cup
11th & 12th February 2015
at Main Bridge Room, Delhi
Gymkhana Club
February 11th Wednesday
10:00 am to 1:30 pm:First Session
2:30 pm to 7:00 pm: Second Session
(Top 8 pairs will qualify for the super
round with total carry forward score.)
February 12th Thursday Super Round
10:00 am to 1:15 pm:First Session
2:15 pm to 6:45 pm: Second Session
Closing Ceremony
Shri Nr Kirubakara Moorty,
President, Bridge Federation of India,
will preside.
Shri Vijay Chhibber President of
Gymkhana Club will be the Chief
Guest.
Mrs Reena Chhibber will give the
mementoes.
President of Bridge Federation of
India will announce the
India Ladies Team.
(Sponsors: Delhi Gymkhana Club)
India Open Bridge
Tournament 2015
13th, 14th& 15th Feb 2015
Shri Brij Mohan Gupta
Memorial Trophy
& Attractive Cash Prizes
Special for Gymkhana Club Members
•Top Gymkhana Club Team will
qualify to the quarter finals
•No Entry Fee for Gymkhana Club
Members in 1/4 & Open Pairs
•Separate Prizes for Gymkhana Club
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Teams
•Separate Prizes for Gymkhana Club 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Pairs
For Enquiries – Contact
Mr. Kawaljit Singh IRS (Retd )
Chairman, Organizing Committee
9810009558
Brig (Dr) Ajay Mehta, PhD (Retd)
Secretary, Gymkhana Club
9718187664
[email protected]
clublife
February 2015
Billiards
As per past tradition, our Billiards and
Snooker teams were invited by the
Roshanara Club, Delhi for friendly
team matches on Sunday, 11th Jan
2015. The honours and prize money
were evenly shared as the Roshanara
Club won the Snooker team event 4-1
while the Delhi Gymkhana Club Team
won the Billiards team event 3-2
The hosts were lavish in their
arrangements and hospitality as always.
The matches were held from 2 to 8
pm and the Gymkhana members were
hosted to succulant cocktails thereafter.
The prizes (Rs. 10000/- to each of the
Ghanti Tournament
Varun Agarwal, Rajiv Kohli, Rakesh Mahindroo,
Bharat Vaish, Neerkeet Jarg and Prakhar Sahni.
winning teams in the shape of vouchers
at a leading restaurant in Hauz Khas
Village) were presented to the teams
thereafter by Mr. S P Khatri, the
President, Roshanara Club.
We now intend to reciprocate by
inviting the Roshanara team later in
the year.
Winners(L-R): Shiv Suri, Dharmender (Squash
court marker) and Bejoy Suri
TENNIS
“International Tennis Super Coach and Professional Tennis
Registry (PTR) Master Professional, Dr. Louie Cap conducted
a special tennis clinic for the trainees of the Delhi Gymkhana
Club on the club clay tennis courts on 11 Jan 2015.
Dr. Cap was a coach of tennis legend and former Wimbledon
Champion, Billie Jean King. He is based at Hilton Head,
South Carolina, USA and is the Head Pro at the Van der
Meer Centre, Hilton Head, USA. A little known fact about
Dr. Louie Cap is that he received his PhD in nuclear physics
from Baylor University, USA in 1973. In addition to being a
computer expert, he has been regularly participating in the
Boston Marathons for over 39 years consecutively. He runs
10 miles per day religiously and is very fond of computers,
photography and foreign languages.
Young trainees ranging in age from 6 to 12 years gathered in
great excitement to learn the finer points of the game from the
super coach. He interacted with each trainee and gave them
numerous tips on how to further improve their game. Special
certificates by the club were given to each trainee signed by
Dr. Ludovit Cap. A tennis tournament for the club trainees
was also held earlier and the following won gold medals and
silver medals:
Under 6 yrs Boys and Girls
Winner:
Aditya Karnik (Gold Medal)
Runners Up: Parmeshwarya Bhagat (Silver Medal)
Under 8 yrs Boys and Girls
Winner:
Kaira Sanghvi (Gold Medal)
Runners Up: Soham Sehgal (Silver Medal)
Under 10 yrs Girls
Winner:
Akshita Chhibber (Gold Medal)
Runners Up: Devki Misra (Silver Medal)
The Delhi Gymkhana Club – Peninsula Tennis Academy
coaching scheme has over 125 trainees registered with it and
the coaching programme is available daily between 3 to 6 pm.”
Annual Sports Dinner will be held
in the 2nd half of March 2015
Bridge Results January 2015
TEAM OF FOUR
1st Air Cdr (Dr) A R Anand, Maj Gen N L Bery, Mrs
Snehlata Singla, Dr Rajiv Anand, Dr R L Sanghi, Maj
Gen A L Suri
2nd Mrs Urmila Agarwal, Mrs Beneeta Chandra, Mr
Sanjiv Bery, Ms Sheena Khorana, Mrs Veena
Viswanathan, Mrs Madhu Kochar
3rd Brig D N Khanna, Mr Vishal Marwaha, Mr Saranjit
Singh Dhupia, Mr Ajay Relan
PAIRS
North-South
1st Mr B R Lal – Mr Y Khanna
2nd Mr Sanjiv Bery – Ms Sheena Khorana
3rd Ms Snehlata Singla – Dr Rajiv Anand
East-West
1st Ms Urmil Agarwal – Ms Binita Chandra
2nd Ms Kamla Mehra – Mr Santosh Kumar
3rd Mr S Behura – Mrs S Behuria
9 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in
clublife
Readers Opine
February 2015
Once a bird asked a bee. After constant hardwork you prepare
honey, but a man comes and steals it. Do you not feel sad?
Bee: Never. Because the only thing a man can do is to steal
my honey... not the art of making it.
In this world anyone can copy your creations but no one can
copy your talent.
A Martyred Soldiers Father Speaks
Your article ‘ Reminiscences of the 1971 War’ in Club life
was excellent. It reminded me of a very moving moment in
my life at the time of the Bangladesh War. I was then working
as DC, Shimla.
One early morning I was given a message that one of the
villagers in my district, a jawan, was killed in the war. On
impulse I decided to visit the family.
After a three hours jeep drive, I reached this small village near
Nalagarh. The parents of the soldier were sitting in gloom
on a charpoy in front of their house along with many others.
After due formalities and paying my respects, I got up to
go. As I was getting into my jeep, the father of the deceased
soldier with tears in his eyes said: DC Sahib, mere bade ladke
ne desh ke liya apni jaan de di. Mujhe uspar fakra hai. Mere teen
ladke hai. Doosra ab athara saal ka hone ja raha hai. Yeh bhi fauj
me jayega. Aur isne bhi agar apni jaan mulk ke liye de di, to is
bête par bhi mai fakra karunga.(DC Sahib. I am proud of my
son who has given his life for his country. I have three sons.
My second son will shortly turn eighteen. He too will join the
army. And if he too lays down his life fighting for his country,
I will be proud of him also.)..
While driving back to Shimla, I wondered what makes these
simple villagers so patriotic even at the time of these great
personal tragedies. It is then that the lines of the beautiful
poem ‘ The Charge of the Light Brigade’ by Lord Tenyson
came into my mind
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made.......
Cannons to the right of them
Cannons to the left of them
Cannons behind them/ volley’d and thundered
....into the valley of Death
... Then they rode back but not all/ Not the six hundred
When can their glory fade?
This immortal poem was written in 1854 after the Battle of
Balaclava in the Crimean War
The poem drew a delicate balance between the nobleness of
supporting one’s country and the brutality of war.
Anil Chandra, P 1633
I
t was indeed a pleasure to read your article about the 71
war in the Club magazine.
I was but a child of 10 at that time but do remember the
event very well.
Your words and passion have rekindled those old memories
and painted a fascinating picture of the bravery and valour of
our armed forces as they fight for our country.
If your experiences are written in a book I would love to buy
it and request you to let me know how I can procure a copy. If
not, I would earnestly request you to put pen to paper.
Thank you for all you and your men have done for us.
I
Vivek Gupta, Singapore (U 0249)
am on a train and have just finished reading Gen Uban’s
article on the 1971 war. All I can say is that I have
goosebumps and can actually visualise the scene in my mind.
Please convey my appreciation to the writer and also convey
my request to him to write a book and I’ll be one of the first
one to buy the book!
T
Ms Gagan Virk, Gold Coast, Australia
hat you are a good writer, there was never any doubt !
But this article is beautifully enumerated, heart warming
and extremely emotional. During the contemporary period, I
was in Bangladesh but unfortunately, we were not fortunate
enough to be directly in the “thick of things” as you were and
thus were unfortunate not to be able to contribute directly
towards the cause of the Nation.
Winding up your article with the under mentioned epitaph
is most appropriate :
When you go home
Tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow
We gave our today
Many a times I have stood in front of the graves in Kohima
(Nagaland) and read the above epitaph with nostalgic
memories and tears in my eyes.
Members feel that you are doing an excellent job as the
Editor of the Clublife. This is not to take away the credit
from the previous brother – sister duo of Ashwajit and
Jasmine (previous Editors) who also did an excellent job and
10 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in
clublife
February 2015
the excellent contribution of articles by Mr. Kalra and other
competent Members.
Heres wishing you a Happy New Year with the hope that
you continue to keep us engrossed with the eagerly awaited
monthly News letters.
T
Colonel (Retd.) M N Madan, P 3832
o help control the fiscal deficit so critical to the sustained
growth of our economy, the govt has asked all VIPs
starting with all parliamentarians to voluntarily give up the
subsidy on their cooking gas consumption whether delivered
to in cylinders or by way of piped gas; I am NOT a socialist
but I for one believe it is entirely fair that this subsidy, as
also some others, are critical for them and should be targeted
only at the poor; that we don’t need these for what for us are
merely sops.
Inspite of 2 reminders in December 2014 which I ignored and
so I did not submit the necessary papers otherwise mandated
to continue to avail the subsidy, in January 2015 I happily paid
the grand sum of `712/- for my first non-subsidised cooking
gas cylinder as against the subsidised amount of `423/- I had
paid upto the month before.
I believe all of us, whether our consumption is for domestic use,
and especially if it is for commercial use (for example I have
friends who operate kitchens from the house commercially
for food they sell by way of catering to small parties or to
offices), should shun the subsidy for ourselves and begin
paying the full market rate as (1) we the club members can
mostly easily afford it - the few extra bucks will be no skin
off our nose, (2) I’m pretty sure a good percentage of the
total subsidy - `40,000 crores or in excess of US$ 6 Billion
annually - is benefiting those who don’t need it - actually
it’s very difficult for the relatively needy to even obtain a
gas connection because of Id & address proof requirements
which they don’t have and therefore cannot provide, and (3)
each and all of us who are serious about helping our economy
along will be doing a great service to the nation without
giving up anything of real significance to us that it matters
in our daily lives.
Remember it was another thing when once upon a time we
had to suffer shortages, but now depending on our monthly
consumption it’s just about 3/4/5 hundred rupees a month
which anyway we are privileged to and happily can spare.
This is less than the cost of a Medium Domino’s Pizza which
serves 2 were you to order 1 every month.
Lalit Lamba, P 6914
T
his is to congratulate you on the January,2015 issue of
“Clublife” and particularly your article “Reminiscences
of the 1971 War” and tribute to your comrades. You were also
good enough to give the words of “Auld Lang Syne” which
were most welcome . However I think we need to have a
translation of “Auld Lang Syne” which is Scottish I believe
and trust you will provide the same in your next issue. Auld I
believe is old , but what is Lang Syne ?
With regards and best wishes for the New Year.
Dalbir K. Kapur (Sqn.Ldr.Retd), M0002
Retirement of Club Secretary Col OP Malhotra
11 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in
clublife
February 2015
Forthcoming Events
Then ... ... and now, 62 years later
Sunday, 1 February 2015
Hearing Camp
10.30am to 2.00 pm for members
2.00-4.00 pm for staff
f
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
6 pm to 7 pm
Knowledge Club: Winners don’t do
different things, they do things differently
by Shiv Khera
f
Dr JC Mehta & Mrs Manorama Mehta (P1728)
Change of Guard!
A permanent occurrence
in this changing world is
‘Change’. As Gymkhana
added one more year to its
glorious heritage and the
long and illustrious innings
of 15 years of Col OP
Malhotra, the inimitable
secretary also came to an
end. His contribution to
our club has been immense
and the good health that
the club enjoys is due to the tireless efforts of this energetic man. In the 100
years history of Gymkhana he has served as secretary for the longest period
and became an institution by himself.
Col Malhotra handed over the reins to Brig (Dr) Ajay Mehta, a soldier
and an academician. Full of verve and positivity we are aware that with his
background and abilities he will add immensly to the functioning of the club.
His presence is already being felt in in a very positive manner.
We wish him a long inning, good speed and good health.
Kudos to DGC Staff
During Christmas and New Year
the Gymkhana staff had their hands
full. Cooking, serving, baking and
restoring ‘lost and found’ articles. We
are proud of our staff who despite
being so busy kept retrieving articles
such as purses, handbags, coats and
restoring them to the members. All
the staff pitched in, housekeeping
boys, reception staff, et al.
This is what makes DGC so
singular!
Our heartfelt condolences to
the families of the following
members who passed away.
May their souls Rest in Peace.
Mr Basant Lal Khatri
Dr Mahfooz Ahmed
Dr Seeta Sinclair
Mrs Anju Taneja
Ms Katharina Bhatia
Mrs Anita Gupta
Dr Ranbir S Rana
Mr Kuldip P Taimini
Mr H S Mamak
Ms Preeti Tandon
Mr Raj Bhushan Sood
Air Marshal P K Verma
P-4598
P 3926
L-0146
L-0600
L-0618
L-0933
P-1217
P-1976
M-0034
L-0179
P-4884
P-0289
12 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in
Friday, 6 February 2015
Eye Check-up Camp
10.30am to 2.00 pm for members
2.00-4.00 pm for staff
5.00-7.00 pm Talk by doctors
f
13, 14, 15 February 2015
Indian Open Bridge Tournament 2015
Kashmir Lawns
f
Saturday, 14 February 2015
Valentine’s Day Dance & Dinner
8 pm onwards. Vibrating DJ with LD
Screen
Centenary Lawns
f
Friday, 20 February 2015
6 pm to 7 pm
Knowledge Club: Making a life vs
Making a living by Gurcharan Das
f
Friday, 27 February 2015
6 pm to 7 pm
Knowledge Club: Gridlock in Parliament:
The way forward by Harish Salve
f
Saturday, 28 February 2015
7.30 pm onwards
Classical & Sufi Music by Ustad Shafqat
Ali Khan & Sufi Kathak by Astha Dixit
Kashmir Lawns
Editor: GS Uban
[email protected]
+ 91 98 100 76770
Views expressed in the articles are those of individual
members and not the official views of the Club.
Designed & Printed by
[email protected]