clublife August 2014 • Vol. 8 • No. 18 Delhi Gymkhana Club 2, Safdarjung Road, New Delhi 110011 www.delhigymkhana.org.in A monthly inhouse newsletter for private circulation only Appeal and we hope to get a clearer understanding as to whether the Club and its Members are at all liable for payment of this tax. From the President’s Desk Dear Friends, R eaching the age of 100 years is always a momentous event. This is even more so when an institution such as the Delhi Gymkhana with its large and varied membership completes this milestone. It reflects a unique journey of togetherness where a large number of distinguished individuals have collectively made the Delhi Gymkhana Club the proud Institution that it is today. The closing ceremony of the year long Centenary Celebrations which commenced on 9th February 2013 were concluded on 3rd July 2014 with Dr. Karan Singh, Former Maharaja of Kashmir as the Chief Guest. The highlight of the event was the Black & White Show depicting 100 years of Bollywood, reflective in some sense of the evolving character of the Club over the years. The function brought to a close a year-long series of events and celebrations, musical evenings, vintage car rally, plays, debate, to name just a few. It was also heartening to inform all Members on the occasion of the closing ceremony that we are about to embark on a major expansion of the Club’s infrastructure, which will hopefully see us through the next 100 years. The “Eminent Speakers Forum” was inaugurated on Sunday the 27th June with the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R.K. Dhowan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC as the Guest Speaker. His presentation on “Indian Ocean Region and Maritime Challenges in the 21st Century” witnessed an enthusiastic response from Members with a packed house. The performance by the Naval Jazz band immediately thereafter in the Centenary Bar provided a befitting close to an exhilarating evening. “Tennis with Vijay Amritraj” was organized by the Peninsula Tennis Academy in association with the Singapore Tourism Board and WTA on Monday 28th July 2014. The enthusiasm amongst children to be with the Legendary Tennis Player who had won his first major event on the Grass-Courts of Gymkhana Club was there for all to see. I would urge the Outdoor Sports fraternity to organize more such events which can enthuse our youngsters. To update Members regarding status of Luxury Tax claims against the Club, our Writ Petition was heard by the Delhi High Court on 17th July 2014. In pursuance of the Directions of the Court, our account has been de-frozen pending final disposal of the Case. As regards Service Tax, the Club is seeking early disposal of our In an effort to stabilize the ever-increasing power tariff paid by the Club, the General Committee has approved installation 100 KW capacity of Solar sub Station an Revenue Model by M/s Azure Power, on the roof of the Main Building.. The Company will supply the solar power to the club at the rate of Rs.6.50 per unit as compared to approx Rs.8 per unit which the club is presently paying to the NDMC with a provision for increase in the rates by 3% after every three years. As Members are aware, the Club is facing a Writ Petition by Shri Ashok Mehndiratta and 6 others regarding membership issues. Based on legal advice, the General Committee has decided to hold an Extra Ordinary General Meeting of the Members of the Club at 10.00 am on Saturday the 23rd August 2014 to consider the following amendments to Articles 2 and 8(7) of the Articles of Association. The balloting on the two resolutions will be held at the venue from 10.00 am to 9.00pm. Individual notices containing text of the Resolutions and Explanatory Statements have been posted to all permanent members. Proposed Amendments Article 2: The General Committee hereinafter mentioned may, whenever the expansion of club is required, register an increase of permanent Members upto 7500. Article 8(7) With a view to maintaining the distinctive character of the Club, the General Committee shall regulate the balloting of candidate for membership of the club in such a manner that the proportion of members who are officers of the Armed Forces of India or Civil officers of Government continues to be about half the total active membership. The remaining 50% vacancies occurring in the Non govt Category would be filled up in the ratio of 1:1 between the waitlisted UCPs (Use of Club Pending Election)/Green Card holders and the other applicants registered with the club under the Non Govt Category. (For purposes of the above, Green Card holders are those who have been dependents and on attaining the age of 21 years have applied for Permanent Membership of the Club. UCPs are those Green Card holders who have attended an “At Home” and have been balloted in for Membership.) The above resolutions will hopefully bring a finality to the matter raised in the above Writ Petition in favour of continuing with the past practice of providing for our UCP/Green Card holder a separate quota for Membership, which has been in vogue since 1984. By increasing the overall membership we also hope to increase the induction of the UCP/Green Card holders into the category of Permanent Members. I would, therefore, urge all Permanent Members to participate in the EGM on 23rd August in support of the above Resolutions. Vijay Chhibber, President clublife August 2014 Eminent Speakers Forum W ith a view to promoting cerebral activity among our membership, a series of lectures by Eminent Speakers has being instituted. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral RK Dhowan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC who is also a long standing member of our Club very kindly consented to deliver the inaugural lecture of the series on the evening of Sunday 27th July on the subject: “Indian Ocean Region and Maritime Challenges in the 21st Century”. Despite being a Sunday evening, the Admiral’s presence drew a packed house. The President DGC, Mr Vijay Chhibber, spoke on the raison d’etre for this lecture series. He stated that our prestigious Club was ideally placed to become the focal point for topical discourses by distinguished persons from all fields and that the collective wealth of experience of our members would provide an excellent forum for informed discourse on a wide variety of subjects. He thanked the CNS for readily agreeing to launch the series. Introducing the speaker, Vice Adm BS Randhawa (Retd), Chair Administration Sub Committee outlined the Admiral’s outstanding career right from his initial days, when he was awarded the Presidents Telescope and later the Sword of Honour, to his later high profile assignments in operations, staff and training, interspersed with sea commands of IN ships Khuhri, Ranjit, and Delhi. The Admiral’s Flag Appointments included command of the Eastern Fleet, Chief of Staff of the Eastern Naval Command, Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and most recently Vice Chief of the Naval Staff had provided an excellent preparation ground for his present assignment as the Naval Chief. Admiral Dhowan’s inspiring address enthralled the large audience The talk covered a canvas as large as the ocean itself, ranging from India’s ancient maritime heritage, as revealed by excavations and historical accounts, when India’s Trade, Commerce and Culture spread into the Indian Ocean littorals by the maritime route. He mentioned the neglect of maritime dimension, particularly during the Mughal era, which led to the colonisation of South Asia. He mentioned that India’s shipping and shipbuilding activities saw a resurgence during the British era in the days of sail and listed some of the famous Indian built “men of war” which survive till this day. The CNS went on to stress the centrality of the maritime dimension in today’s world with 90% of the world trade being carried by sea, though, regrettably, a very small portion of India’s own trade is carried in Indian ships. He spoke of the urgent need to redress the situation and concurrently the need to build a strong and capable Navy to safeguard the nation’s security, trade, natural resources and other interests in the maritime sphere. He explained that the Navy’s role was not limited to warfighting but also had constabulary, diplomatic and humanitarian roles in times of Peace. After the event the Admiral and Mrs Minu Dhowan spent some time in the Centenary Bar where they intermingled with the members, with the lilting tunes of the Naval Jazz Band providing an apt background. Vice Admiral BS Randhawa PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd) 2 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in clublife August 2014 Annual Swimming Gala T h e sweltering heat of Delhi on 29th Jun 2014 could not keep the swimming enthusiasts from coming to participate in the Swimming Gala supported by their family and friends. The swimming pool was decorated in bright colours to welcome the cheering crowds and the enthusiastic participants for the Swimming Gala. The General Committee had included the Swimming Gala as part of the Closing Ceremony of the Centenary Celebrations. Mrs Reena Chhibber, the Chief Guest declared the Swimming Gala open with the release of balloons by the children as also gave away the prizes to the winners in the children category alongwith their certificate of participation. The 80 plus senior members were cheered all the way as they swam their way to the other end. The highlight of the gala was in the Splash Pool wherein the children age between 2 & 5 years participated much to the delight of their parents and grandparents. This year’s Swimming Gala had a record attendance of over 200 participants and officials and an equal number of friends and family to cheer them on. There was 3 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in a constant stream of snacks and soft drinks available, throughout the Gala which was followed by lunch. Due to the large number of swimming events as also the sweltering heat it was decided by the jury that the the runners up and third position prizes of the senior events would not be given at the Gala. The runners up and third prize winners are requested to kindly collect their prizes from the Secretary’s office. The winners of the senior events as per convention would be given their prizes at the Annual Sports Dinner to be held in the month of November 2014. The list of winners is also published alongside. Col JP Singh Chair, Outdoor Sports Committee clublife August 2014 Annual Swimming Gala 4 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in clublife August 2014 Swimming Gala: 29th June 2014 - Results Children’s Events Names Boys 6-8 Yrs Any Style 1 Length Winner Arav Malik Runner Up Satirk Third Place Aadyant Baswan Girls 6-8 Yrs Any Style 1 Length Winner Mira Singh Runner Up Sana Third Place Amita Boys 8-10 Yrs Breast Stroke 1 Length Winner Saurabh Runner Up Vishwaraj Third Place Arman Gulati Girls 8-10Yrs Breast Stroke 1 Length WinnerManya Runner Up Anya Katpalia Third Place Nandani Andlay Boys 8-10 Yrs Free Style 1 Length Winner Krisha Chopra Runner Up Lakshawir Third Place Shaurya Bawa Girls 8-10 Yrs Free Style 1 Length Winner Anya Kathpalia Runner Up Tia Bhell Third Place Manya Jain Boys 10-12 Yrs Breast Stroke 1 Length Winner Ayush Gupta Runner Up Arya Vohra Third Place Himmat Singh Girls 10-12 Yrs -Do- 1 Length Winner Tarina Andlay Runner Up Natasha Third Place Arshaya Jain Boys 10-12 Yrs Free Style 2Lengths Winner Aarhan Nanda Runner Up Ayush Third Place Varun Girls 10-12 Yrs Free Style 2Lengths Winner Natasha Sobti Runner Up Sauya Third Place Tarima Analav Boys 12-14 Yrs Breast Stroke 2 Lengths Winner Aryan Bhanot Runner Up Arjun Third Place Sriarte Girls 12-14 Yrs -Do- 2Lengths Winner Muskan Chopra Runner Up Tara Third Place Gyatri Sood Boys 12-14 Yrs Free Style 2Lengths Winner Yashraj Shanker Runner Up Rohan Bhatia Third Place Aaryan Bhanot Girls 12-14 Yrs Free Style 2Lengths Winner Tara Singh Runner Up Muskan Third Place Sauya Boys 14-16 Yrs Free Style 3Lengths Winner Yashraj Shanker Runner Up Adhiraj Third Place Rohan Bhatia Girls 14-16 Yrs Free Style 2Lengths WinnerDevika Runner Up Tamanna Third Place Ananya Boys 14-16 Yrs Breast Stroke 2Lengths Winner Uday Behl Runner Up Aditya Third Place Samar Girls 14-16 Yrs -Do- 2Lengths WinnerDevika Runner Up Anaryah Rastogi Third Place Tamana Boys 16-21 Yrs Breast Stroke 2Lengths Winner Pranav Sood Runner Up Rohan Third Place Arjun Girls 16-21 Yrs -Do- 2Lengths Winner Nivan Mamak Runner Up Rytin Vohra Third Place Sanya Boys 16- 21 Yrs Free Style 2Lengths WinnerAryaman Runner Up Pranav Sood Third Place Rohan Mehta Girls 16-21 Yrs Free Style 2Lengths Winner Nivan Mamak Runner Up Rytim Third Place Sanya (A) Green Card / Members Events Gents Below 30 Yrs Free Style 4 Lengths Winner Prachetas Bhatnagar Runner Up Nitish Third Place Cmde Sanjay J Singh Ladies Below 30 Yrs Free Style 2 Lengths Winner Sakshi Chopra Runner Up Seher Gents 30-40 Yrs Any Style 2Lengths Winner Col Bhanot Runner Up Anuj Sehgal Third Place Hemant Sood Ladies 30-40 Yrs Any Style 2Lengths Winner Diya Vohra Runner Up Amba Singh Third Place Sonali Rawal Ladies 30-40 Yrs Breast Stroke 2Lengths Winner Dia Vohra Runner Up Ambica Pant Third Place Sumit Chadha Gents 40-50 Yrs Any Style 2Lengths WinnerSiddarath Runner Up C D Bhanot Third Place Cmde Sanjay J Singh Ladies 40-50 YrsAny Style 2Lengths Winner Amba Singh Runner Up Ambica Pant Third Place Simran Gents 50-60 Yrs Any Style 2Lengths Winner Arvind Mehta Runner Up Anand Rajiv Third Place D S Malik Ladies 50-60 YrsAny Style 2 Length Winner Charu Walikhanna 5 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in Runner Up Renu Ladies 60-65 YrsAny Style 1 Length Winner Anita Meattle Runner Up Madhu Sethi Third Place Madhu Bawa Gents 60-70 Yrs Any Style 1 Length Winner Alok Mehiratta Runner Up Shiv Karan Third Place Ashok Chawla Ladies 65-70 YrsAny Style 1 Length Winner Madhu Sethi Runner Up Madhu Bawa Gents 70-75 Yrs Any Style 1 Length Winner Vijay Soni Runner Up R Kherbchand Third Place Ashok Chawla Ladies 70-75 YrsAny Style 1 Length Winner Dr Kiron Anand Runner Up Swaran Grover Gents 75-80 Yrs Any Style 1 Length Winner Brig Ravi Mehta Runner Up S K Bawa Third Place H Singh Gents 80-55 Yrs Any Style 1 Length Winner Mr Kapoor Gents 85-90 Yrs Any Style 1 Length Winner Mr Bahl (B) Medlay Relay Race(total One Event) (A) Any Style, Team of 4 Sr Citizen 65 Yrs And Above(Ladies&Gents) Winner Col Bhanot Runner Up Mr Ashok Chawla Third Place Shiv Karan Member1 Winner Nitish Malhotra Runner Up Hemant Sood Third Place Arvind Mehtra Boy Upto 30 Yrs 1 Winner Alok Mehandiratta Runner Up Pranav Sood Third Place Arjun Mehta Girl Upto 30 Yrs 1 Winner Niwan Mamak Runner Up Sakshi Chopra Third Place Radhika Mehta (B) Any Style Team Of 4 Sr Citizen Above 65 Yrs&Above (Lady/ Gent)1 Winner Col Bhanot Runner Up Arvind Mehta Third Place Cmde Sanjay J Singh Member (Lady/Gent)1 Winner Alok Mehandiratta Runner Up Shiv Karan Girl upto 16 Yrs 1 Winner Natasha Sobti Runner up Tara Singh Boy upto 16 Yrs 1 Winner Aaryan Bhanot Runner Up Arjun Mehta Collecting plates Children below 10 Yrs WinnerAnya Runner up Aara clublife August 2014 Centennial Celebrations Conclude The Chief Guest Dr Karan Singh received MC Kanwal Chaudri commences the by President Vijay Chhibber proceedings The Chief Guest signs the Centennial Scroll Gen Waraich introduces the Chief Guest President Vijay Chhibber makes his Report of the Century of DGC The audience is all set to enjoy the evening The Chief Guest Blesses the Club The Chief Guest cuts the Centennial Cake President presents a memento to the Chief Guest 6 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in clublife August 2014 Centennial Celebrations Conclude The show begins… …with dance numbers from the celluloid world President felicitates the Programme Director of ‘100 Years of Bollywood’ Old timers would recall this scene An appreciative audience Old friends meet Works and Housing Sub Committee N ew Projects’ 3-D Model and heritage themed foundation stone statuette of the various facilities by the Consultant Architect is on the final stages and will be demonstrated for the club members soon. In the Solar power segment, our club is one of the first institutions in the city of Delhi to go on with solarisation by installing equipment to generate 100 KW grid power on the rooftop of main building. Slowly and gradually we plan to expand and harness solar power to its full potential. The main kitchen has been commissioned and handed over to the F and B division for food production in new environment and equipment. The pastry and take away counter has also been shifted from the alcove and integrated in the confectionary section of the main kitchen. In the project work of Ladies cloak room and Bridge Room, the Bridge playing members will have the facility ready on 15 September. The Bridge Room portion of the building will also be displaying high ceiling features akin to our main building instead of the low ceiling. However, ladies cloak room portion will be ready by 25 September since the interior work has more details in this facility. After the accidental falling off of the false ceiling of Kashmir lounge restaurant, renovation work with high ceiling heritage theme has been adopted similar to the character of our main club house. Concurrently, efforts have been accelerated with NDMC to get the re-roofing work of this wing (from Blue room to Cards room stretch including the Kashmir lounge bar and restaurant) sanctioned/released as soon as possible. The old roof of British era has outlived its life and needs to be replaced with RCC slabs to last for another 100 years. Accounts Branch office in the Secretariat is next on the agenda of the SubCommittee for renovation work so as to furnish maximum table/working space to the clerical staff and accountants. Tenders are being floated soon for competitive bidding. Suneeta Trivedi Chair, Works and Housing Sub-Committee Bridge Results JuLY 2014 TEAM OF FOUR 1st Mr A Virmani, Brig VK Sawhney, Mr Dilip Colhlo, Mr Yogesh Tiwari, Mr Arun Jain and Mr Mukesh Shivdasani 2ndMr DD Gulhati, Dr Vikram Jain, Brig DN Khanna, Mr Vijit Bery, Mr Jasjit Singh 3rd Mr S K Sethi, Col Narendra Singh, Maj Gen PR Dhawan, Mr Arun Kumar, Mrs Sunita Singh PAIRS North-South 1st Mr GS Sial - Brig BC Rana 2ndMaj Gen BK Kalra - Brig SK Walia 3rd Mrs Nina Shergill - Mrs Sarita Sharma East-West 1st Mrs Sneh Lata Singla - Mrs Meera Bakshi 2ndBrig VK Sawhney - Col R Vasudeva 3rd Mr Kawaljit Singh – Mr Jaspal Bakshi Delhi State Bridge Championships: Pairs event Dr Vikram Jain & Mr DD Gulhati secured the First Position and will now represent Delhi at the Inter State Championships to be held in Patna in September. Out of the top 5 positions, 4 were won by Gymkhana players as 2nd position was taken by Mrs Meera Bakshi & JS Bakshi; 3rd was taken by Sheena Khorana & Kawaljit Singh; 4th was taken by Rinku Singh & Brig DN Khanna; 5th was taken by Urmil Agarwal & Partner Goa India Open Bridge Tournament: T4 event the team of S Sunderesan, Arjun Sawhny, Tapas Benerji, Nita Banerji stood fourth. In the pairs events our club members S Sunderesan & Arjun Sawhny stood 3rd and Tapas Benerji, Nita Banerji stood 7th. 7 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in clublife August 2014 Book Club In a very motivated discussion supported by a power point presentation, Author and Journalist Nitin Gokhale, discussed his book : Beyond NJ 9842 : The SIACHEN Saga. He laid bare the difficult terrain and living conditions under which the troops posted on the Siachen Glacier were living and operating. He has penned this book based on personal visits to forward posts in the inhospitable region of our country and based his narrative Poet and Novelist Keki N Daruwala read out excerpts from his latest novel ISLANDS : Short Stories, to an attentive literature hungry audience. His stories circle around solitary tracts of land creating islands amongst themselves. Sometimes his islands are physical land masses and other on interviews with personnel posted there. The book is well illustrated with some never before seen photographs which highlight the inhospitality of the battleground. A special mention was made of our own members, Gen Amarjit Singh and Col N Kumar, in his book. Coincidentally both were present for the talk. times islands within his own mind. A former police officer, Daruwala, had often lead a life of solitude during his various postings. It is on these tenures he learn’t to live within himself. The result he shared with the audience through his latest book. Special felicitations and welcome from an admirer and friend 8 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in clublife August 2014 Finance Sub Committee Due to a recent newspaper reports there is apprehension in the minds of some of our members that this nonpayment was an oversight on part of the Club. Quite to the contrary, this was done under well considered legal advice. The Club has paid a sum of Rs 386.32 lacs up to Financial Year 2008-9, under protest, towards Luxury Tax in March 2012.. The next demand for Rs 292.81 lacs, for Financial Years from 2009-10 to 201112 was raised by tax authorities in March 2013. In the meantime on 15 March 2012 the Ranchi High Court gave a ruling that, on the basis of mutuality, clubs do not have to pay Service tax. The previous General Committee, after consideration and competent legal advice, took the view that on the same principle of mutuality luxury tax should also not be payable by clubs. Our Club therefore withheld the payment of Rs 292.81 lacs, and filed an appeal to Assistant Commissioner & Commissioner (Luxury Tax). The present GC again sought legal opinion which re-affirmed that as a members club Luxury Tax should not be payable by us, and that if our appeal gets rejected we would seek relief from the Delhi High Court. The Commissioner (Luxury Tax) finally heard and rejected our appeal on 1 July 2014, the Order for which was received by us on 4 July 2014. We immediately filed a Writ Petition with the Delhi High Court on 10 July 2014, and informed the Commissioner on 11 July 2014 that we had filed this petition and had obtained a Stay Order. Notwithstanding this, we received a Notice from Deputy Commissioner (Taxes) on 14 July 2014 to pay Rs 292.81 lacs within 3 days, and then without even waiting for the notified 3 days the same Authority passed an Order on 15 July 2014 to our Banks asking them to freeze Club Accounts held with them. As we were already in Court we were able to get a quick hearing, and on 17 July 2014 the Hon’ble High Court ordered that we should pay 50% of the demand i.e Rs. 145 lacs by 21 July 2014, and that the attachment of our Bank accounts be lifted forthwith. This amount of Rs. 145 lacs was paid immediately. Members will be glad to know that, as we had anticipated this and also moved the Hon’ble High Court, our Club’s functioning was not hindered even for a day. The matter is now where it has to be ultimately decided i.e the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi. Luxury Tax is a State subject, and they will now decide its legality and whether to be/or not to be imposed on a Members Clubs in Delhi. Karamjit S Bedi Chair, Finance Sub-Committee Sportsperson of the Year 2013-14 Tanvi Khanna has been nominated as Sportsperson of the Year 201314. She has learnt squash at Delhi Gymkhana Club under the guidance of Bhuvneshwari Kumari. Some of her achievments are 1. Secured 3rd place in the girls under-19 category at the Asian Juniors Championship in Kish Island, Iran 2014. 2. Secured 3rd place in the girls team event in The Asian Youth Games held in China in 2013.She finished 5th in the individual category. 3. Secured 3rd place in the Junior Squash Nationals held in Indore in the girls Under-19 category. 4. Participated in the British Open in 2010-11 and the US Open in 2012. 5. Participated in three Asian Junior Tournaments (2011-13) and finished in the top 8 consistently in the under-17 category in 2013. 6.Participated in The World Junior Squash Tournament held in Poland in 2013. 7. Winner of the DDA Open in the under-17 category in January 2013. 8. She has been Captain of the Modern School Squash Team 2 years in a row and was voted ‘Most Valuable Player’ for the same period. 9. Was awarded the Principal’s Award for Best Sportsperson in 2013-14. Roll of Honour Rijul Arora s/o Radhica and Satish Arora Delhi Public School, Mathura Road Class XII Aggregate93.6 Kabir Singh Chhatwal s/o Ikjot and Maj. Balbir Singh Chhatwal Vasant Valley School, Vasant Kunj Class XII Aggregate94.8 9 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in Niyati Mutreja d/o Anuradha and Amit Mutreja; Granddaughter of Sudarshan and VK Mutreja Class XII Aggregate95.4 clublife August 2014 The Championships - Wimbledon 2014 The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and the Lawn Tennis Association of Great Britain jointly organise the famous championships at the well manicured grass courts of Wimbledon. The Championship which is now over a hundred years old is a manifestation of the famous English tradition, perfection and a lesson on flawless organisation. Added to all the drama is the presence of top tennis players of the world jostling to exhibit their tennis playing prowess. At the North end of the court is the International Box, where members of the Federations and members of the International Lawn Tennis Clubs (IC) are seated. This year Sanjeev Kassal and I were honoured guests from India. Mr Anil Khanna, the President of the AITA was also conspicuous by his presence at the International Box. The Indian presence at the championship ended at the quarter final stage, in the Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Ladies Doubles. Somdev Dev Burman lost in the first round of the Men’s Singles. Leander Paes, Rohan Bopanna, Sania Mirza were all in action but it’s a great pity that besides these oldies there were no new comers from the Indian tennis. The Women’s Final turned out to be a tame affair with Euginie Bouchard going down in straight sets (6/3, 6/0) to Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic. Serena Williams fell to Aliza Cornet of France and with the elimination of Maria Sharapova the Womens event lost its colour. The Men’s Final was rated amongst the best in recent years. Novak Djokovic is great and he played a brilliant, bruising tournament but we all know that Federer is the greatest. Djokovic knows it too, as he charmingly conceded in the post match celebrations. Alas for all those who watched Wimbledon it was probably the nearest we will ever get to seeing Federer win the trophy again, and adding to the seven titles that he already has. Finally it is the youth which prevailed. Djokovic, five years younger and not without strength of will showed that he had that fraction more when it mattered. The frailty of a great champion is a sad thing to see, but Federer stole the heart of the fans. Major Yogesh Prasad P-1227 Centennial Debate - Is Internet a Bane? Or a Boon? President Vijay Chhibber inaugurates the Debate The MC and Time Keepers take over The Judges listen with interest The AGAINST Team An appreciative audience listened in rapt attention 10 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in The FOR Team clublife August 2014 Letter to Editor A lot has happened since we last ‘met’ in July. This month’s issue of Club Life is chock-a-block full of events conducted as part of our Annual/ Monthly/Centennial Events. We carry all the features to cover these events and in the bargain disappoint some of our contributors for not carrying their ‘promised’ features. Those that know anything about this publishing business will know the problems that an Editor faces in trying to ‘please all’! My Turn Lately, we have received numerous reports from our members of delayed deliveries of Club Life or in some cases of ‘no deliveries’. Let me explain. Club Life is planned to carry all the news of events in the preceding month. Right till the last day of the month, we have events and we need to carry their reports. While we do start compiling issues well in advance, they only get compiled during the first 2/3 days of every month. Then there is the ding-dong battle between the Editor and the Designer to layout the issue and fit in all the material. Give that another 2/3 days. We target the issue to be ready every month not later than 7th of each month. If all goes well we email the electronic copy to all members the same day/night. Printing is done over another 2 days. Add to that 2 days for despatch and deliveries by courier and we are on the 10th day of each month. We, therefore, advise our members to look out for electronic versions by 7th day of each month and the printed copies on or about the 10th day of each month. Mind you all this under ideal conditions and when contributors co-operate! A word about our print run. We have inherited a mandate to print only 7000 copies. These are meant for despatch to members based in the NCR only. Posting of hard copies to overseas members or members outside the NCR is not being done. Allocated finances do not permit the cost of printing more copies and the cost of courier for outstation despatches. We need to look into this aspect in coming months. In this age of ‘soft copies’ and electronic mail, would it be too much to ask our members to opt for the electronic version of Club Life so that we print even less copies. In any case I request all members to kindly update the Club secretariat with their latest email address as well as their mobile telephone numbers. We are using a fair amount of electronic facilities – SMS and email - to communicate with our members. Not only will you get your copy of Club Life promptly, you would receive Notices and information about events well on time. I wish to congratulate you on the pictorial events at the Club. I am now a Super Senior Member and am unable to participate in the many interesting meetings and events that take place from time to time. Receiving the Club Life is something I look forward to because it is very informative and gives the feeling that I have not missed anything. The Presidents letter is very informative and so are the notes from the Sub Committees. The pictures of the events really give me a feeling that I have actually participated and not missed out on anything ! Please keep up what you are doing to keep folks like me connected. I like the hard copy because I find it convenient to carry around . I guess I am old fashioned and not all that computer savvy. Looking forward to the next copy ! Indra R Jerath L-0667 Members Achievements Jyotika Simran Sood (P6781) daughter of Cutie Kajal Sood and Pradeep Sood (U1524), grand daughter of Late RC Sethi and Anita Sethi (L1698) has passed her MBBS final exams from University of Liverpool UK with distinction and has been offered a place to do an Inter collation in Imperial College London in the field of Assisted Reproduction. We are coming to the end of another year at the Club. The AGM is due next month and with it will be elected the new General Committee. This thus leaves me just one more issue to do (Sep) before I hand over the responsibility – I will not call it ‘pass the baton’ nor do I think I will part with my favourite pen – to someone nominated as the Editor from amongst those elected to the next General Committee. Happy Reading! Atul Dev, Editor 11 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in Sean Lovett (G-6008), son of Amita & Simon Lovett, MBE (U-0626) and Grand son of Karan & Uma Sarwal (P-2360) received his PhD. (Physics) from University of Cambridge, UK. We congratulate achievers from our club clublife August 2014 Book Club Events New Provisions As Per Companies Act 2013 Government of India has replaced Companies Act 1956 with Companies Act 2013. The new Companies Act is available with the Secretary for perusal, if required. The major provisions affecting the club are given below for information of all members. (a) Section 25 changed to section 8 in the companies Act, 2013 (b) Notice of interest u/s 184(1) to be taken on record in the first GC meeting after the commencement of new Companies Act, 2013 and the same is required to be filed with ROC. (c) Notice of disqualification u/s 152(4) & (5) to be filled with ROC within 30 days of appointment as a director (d) No person can be appointed as director unless he has been allotted a DIN as per Section 152(3) as per Companies Act, 2013. (e) Change in depreciation policy from the current rates to useful life of the asset w.e.f. 1.4.14 and this could have substantial impact in the Profit & Loss A/c due to increase in the amount of depreciation as compared to previous years. Friday 8th August 2014 6 pm to 7 pm Dr SK Pachauri, IAS (Retd) Reads from his book Ayodhya: Debacle, Divide and Dividend The storming of the Bastille in 1789 in Paris is comparable to the demolition of Babri Masjid Ram Janm Bhoomi structure in 1992, the cataclysmic event almost two centuries later resulting in riots worldwide. This book is an attempt to evaluate the events and circumstances in a new light. The manner in which efforts were made to avert the tragedy and how all efforts succumbed in the face of polular sentiments leading to the avoidable tragedy. The failure of institutions and safeguards to prevent such an incident from occurring is also in focus. (f) Notice of consent to be appointed as director to be submitted along with a deposit of Rs 1 lakh and refunded only when the candidate gets elected or gets atleast 25% votes in his favour as per section 160 of the Companies Act 2013 (257(2) As per Companies Act 1956) K Natwar Singh (g) General Meetings to be held during business hours i.e. 9am to 6pm and cannot be held on National Holidays. One Life is Not Enough (h) Director to vacate office on remaining absent from all the meetings of the Board of Directors held during 12 months with or without obtaining leave of absence Col OP Malhotra (Retd) Secretary Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the following members who passed away. May their souls Rest in Peace. Friday 22nd August 2014 6 pm to 7 pm Discusses his latest book Former Minister in charge of External Affairs, Kunwar Natwar Singh’s autobiography One Life Is Not Enough is an account of the veteran’s life as a bureaucrat, politician, and cabinet minister. Natwar Singh talks about his experiences in Delhi’s political corridors and sets the record straight on several events, including the Volcker controversy. Singh has played a significant role in Indian politics for more than twenty years and has been a part of some of the most epochal events of independent India, including IndoChina talks and the formation of Bangladesh. Friday 29th August 2014 Brig Gurbux Singh (P-0085) Maj Gen Kailash Chander (P-0425) Col YP Chadha (P-0554) Mr RS Talwar (P-1098) 6 pm to 7 pm Mr DS Kapur (P-1299) Dr Kusum Ansal Reads her poems Pilgrimage to a Mysterious World Mr Krishan Kumar Khullar (P-1329) Mr Anand Bhasin (P-1528) Mr Deepak Varma (P-2298) Mr Ravi Shrinagesh Mrs Shakuntala (P-4085) Sachthay (L-0681) Photographs of Lt Gen Sahdev Sahgal (E-0045) is not available. Editor: Atul Dev [email protected] + 91 98 102 34579 Kusum Ansal is a renowned name in the Indian literary world and has many books to her credit. A prolific writer, Ansal has penned 25 books, including short stories, poetry collections, novels, travelogues along with her autobiography. Her new collection of poems, Pilgrimage to a Mysterious World, describes the various spiritual journeys she has undertaken. Views expressed in the articles are those of individual members and not the official views of the Club. 12 • www.delhigymkhana.org.in Designed & Printed by Benchmark Graphic Pvt. Ltd., [email protected]
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