Introduction
Conveniently located in tranquil setting of west Kowloon, India Club is easily accessible by most MTR as well as the local bus services. It provides a much-needed break by offering a various facilities for relaxation, recreation, sports and socializing.
Club History
The India Club previously known, as The Kowloon Indian Tennis Club is believed to have been in operation before the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong in 1941. According to some of our long-standing members, the Club seemed to have started in 1924 or 1925. However, our records show that the first post war committee meeting was held in 1949, under the Presidency of Dr. Mahan Singh. The Club was formally incorporated on 27th February 1967, its main activities being the promotion of sports, organizing of social events and the promotion of Indian art and culture.
The Club's facilities include Tennis and Badminton courts, Cricket Practice pitch, Basketball Shooting Board, Card & Mahjong Rooms, Activity room for playing Snooker, Carom & Table Football and a newly renovated restaurant which serves delicious Indian cuisine and snacks. Our Private Rooms and Lawns are constantly used for social functions. Over the years, programmes such as Talent Competitions for children, Blood Donation drives, and other get-togethers have been held. Weekly Tambola sessions are held on Sundays and are very popular with our members.
Socially, the Club has organized many memorable events. Annual functions include the Diwali Ball, the Dussehra festival and the Miss India Hong Kong pageant shows. The Club has an enviable tradition of organizing numerous cultural and musical shows to cater to the aesthetic needs of the Indian community.It has played host to great leaders like the late Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi and also the late Presidents of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Dr. Radhakrishnan and great personalities like Noble Prize laureate Mother Teresa. In the Club early days, Dr. Hari Harilela OBE JP (Permanent President of the Club) worked hard to bring the Club to the social status it has reached today. A highlight of social entertainment by the India Club was the "Shahenshah-e-Mohabat", a tribute to Raj Kapoor , organized by the late Rani Hiranand in 1987 . Recently a gala fundraising fund raising event titled 'Aa Ab Laut Chale" was organized by Mrs. Mira Mahtani in 1999 and co-sponsored by the India Association, a voyage in retrospect down memory lane in which the Kapoor clan figured prominently. This practice still continues and many great singers, actors, musicians with memorable plays and shows from India continue to visit and perform in Hong Kong. The Sindhi Mela is one such example, which will always be remembered in the years to come.
Reacting to natural disasters, calamities and unforeseen circumstances, The India Club has generously raised funds by means of numerous fundraising events like The Miss India Hong Kong Pageant. Since its inauguration by Mrs. Mira Mahtani and Mr. Notan Tolani, the pageant has donated over HK$ 1 Million to Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity and to Future Hope. Thus the Club not only provides sporting facilities to its members, it has also evolved into a center for charitable and social activities for the Indian community of Hong Kong.
Renovations and refurbishment to the Club over the years, have been mostly piece meal in nature as past fundraising efforts have always fallen short of the significant sums required to complete any major refurbishment project. But like they say "Every thing has its time" and for the India Club, this was the time, a now or never scenario. The present Executive Committee under the presidency of Mr. Nanu P Lachman finally accepted this challenge and the biggest renovation project in the history of India Club started in April 2000. The newly renovated club besides having a totally new and modern look has many additional facilities for its members to enjoy - A Club Hong Kong's affluent Indian community can truly be proud of. |
