INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION
In order to raise an awareness about the status and dignity of women among students, an International Women’s day celebration was organized by the Women’s cell of Hindustan College on 8th March 2021. The programme commenced with a welcome address by Mr. V Jayakumar, III B.Com. The chief guest Ms. Kavitha, Superintendent of police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, Mysuru, Dr. Priya, Principal and Ms. Nagasri, Assistant Professor, Department of English & Women’s cell coordinator inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp.
The chief guest, in her address appreciated the efforts of the women’s of the society and highlighted that mere equality doesn’t matter, power must be given in addition to equality to build the nation. The programme was followed with a felicitation to Ms. H. Kushi, a first PUC student of Vijaya Vittala Composite PU College, Mysuru who represented Junior Girls’ (14-17 years) in the 9th Asian Yoga Sports Championship held at South Korea recently and won 3 Gold medals in Asanas, Rhythmic Pair and Free Flow Yoga Dance events.
The celebration was highlighted with a song dedicated to women presented by Mr. Mohan Kumar, Physical Education Director, Hindustan College & Mr. Raghunanadan, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce & Management, Hindustan College. The presentation highlighted the message about the competency of women, intellectual capacity of women as capable of holding high responsibility as efficiently as men can do.
Dr. Priya, Principal rendered presidential address which was followed by a thanking note by Mr. Pradeep, III B.Com. Games and fun filled activities were organized by Mr. Mohan Kumar L P, Physical Education Director, Hindustan College & Mr. Raghunandan, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Commerce & Management, Hindustan College, the prizes were distributed to the winners and runners.
When Dr. Verghese’s son Anand was studying in the U.K. in the early nineties, Dr. Verghese used to be a regular visitor to London. There was a tennis club near the University and both of them often went there a play. This was one of his favorite pastimes. Invariably, there would be a former Wimbledon champion as a coach. The club had sixteen indoor courts. Dr. Verghese learnt a lot from the coach and the men responsible for the administration of the club. Back in Chennai, Dr. Verghese used to play tennis at the T-Nagar Social Club, which was near to his residence. On one occasion, he happened to visit the Gandhi nagar Social Club where he found that many of his wife’s friends were members. There were also several IIT professors, High Court Judges and other members of the Chennai elite. He decided to become a member and was welcomed into the group. He paid five thousand rupees as membership fee and thereafter he became a frequent visitor to the Club.
At that time there were three outdoor tennis courts and an old shed where people could take shelter when it rained. Social activities were minimal. The Club was the refuge of sports lovers. Often they had to sit around and wait for their turn to play. During such casual sessions, Dr. Verghese mooted the idea of developing the club. Some of the members liked the idea.
In those days, the Club had hardly thirty members. One evening, Dr. Verghese invited all of the members to his home for tea. He explained in detail what was required for a modern club and suggested them to join and to undertake the project. He showed them pictures of the club in London. The members were vertically divided on the issue. There were people who wanted to modernize the club. There were people wanted to maintain the status quo. And there were people who had no clue about anything. For several months, this matter was discussed on and off. They met again and again at the houses to other members. And nothing happened.
Dr. Verghese began to lose his patience. One day, he told the members that if he was given a free hand, he would raise the funds and construct a modern multi – storied building, without any contribution from the existing members. He prepared a plan and presented it at a meeting of the General Body. The members agreed to his proposal on the condition that they would not be asked to donate any money. Dr. Verghese was chosen as the Convener for the project.
B R Adithyan was the president of the Club at that time and the committee members included K S Ramamurthy, B Venkatesh, V R Ramanthan, M K Rao, A Viswanathan, R Muthaiah, S K Krishna Kumar, M Rajendran, V K Rajagopalan, R Rajamani, Farid Hussain and Manoj Thangavelu. They gave him full freedom to plan and execute the project.
Dr. Verghese found an architect and prepared a blueprint for a six – storied building with an air – conditioned restaurant, bar, coffee – shop, Jacuzzi, sauna, table tennis and squash courts, fitness center, library, party rooms, card rooms, internet facility, swimming pool, guest rooms and so on.
When the Chennai Corporation refused to allow them to construct six floors, they decided they would have three floors plus one basement floor. The money was raised and the building was constructed. All the necessary facilities were installed. Thousands of new members were enrolled and the Gandhi nagar Club literally came alive. Several leading companies came forward to obtain corporate membership. Today, the Club has cash deposits worth crores of rupees. It is the pride of Adyar and its membership is a matter of great prestige.
In the course of time, diabetes and its side- effects caught up with him and he barely had time to attend to his official duties. His visit to the Club became infrequent. He stopped playing tennis and took up billiards as it was less strenuous.
