Nagpur: If you are a true elite Nagpurian, you are still divided in two – those who belong to Gondwana club and those who frequent CP club. (There is an overlap too of course, but otherwise allegiances are firm and permanent.)
About Gondwana: as per its website, established in the year 1932 the Gondwana Club is located on top of the Seminary Hills, a commanding site overlooking the City of Nagpur. It is spread over 8 acres of land surrounded by forest and remains of a golf course, the club still is very much in the town. The majestic ambience free of noise and pollution the club has an envious scenic view from its main lawn, which can take more than 2000 members.
Along with the CP club, this is the favourite haunt of the city’s who’s who when they want to unwind after a hectic working day. Away from prying eyes and city’s holli polloi, this is the place where the elite can feel at home. A club is truly a home away from home.
Wenesday Rate
Wed 25 Dec. 2024
There is an interesting background to these two clubs. The CP club was established by the British for its officers serving in India, Indians, however rich or influential, were not allowed inside its portals. Anecdote goes that irked by this the Gond King of Nagpur decided to float Gondwana club, situated above CP on a hillock overlooking the city, where ONLY Indians were to be granted membership!
However true this story may be, today, Gondwana truly occupies the ‘upper space’ as many neutral people will agree.
This club is to chose its governing committee for the coming year today – and the committee will also decide who the new president will be. Will Balaji Buty continue his successful run of the last few years or will a new man be handed over the job? This year, there are more contenders in the fray like Jamesh Bapuna, scion of the Bapuna-Dinshaw group and Saket Daga, who may very well throw his weight in support of Bapuna when it boils down to the final count.
The approx 1800+ members will elect five committee members this evening by secret ballot. Nine are contesting. It is said there are four from every group and one independent, who, if elected could sway the decision.
Balaji Buty the two time President is being backed by Jai Kale, Dr. Shivani Sule, Prakash Khemka and Chandrashekhar Kharabe and Bapuna has Singhania, Saket Daga and Jatin Tarkunde in his corner.
The irony is last year’s compromise to avoid elections, which was managed very amicably since three committee members voluntarily withdrew to make way for the trio of Singhania, Saket and Bapuna has paved the way for this year’s elections since these three have thrown their hat in the ring for change of Presidentship.
The incumbent Buty says the club development his body achieved in the last two years has been acknowledged by every member – he would like a third term to finish what he began.
The other side hints at financial mismanagement as reason for change.
“But this issue was sorted out in the committee meeting last October 2014” says Buty.
Finally, as Saket Daga opined, it is a matter of the family – who ever wins, the club will remain a home…
We wish victory for the best man for the job and his committee!
