Kerala - Kochi   

A club from the British Raj turns 75

Special Correspondent

WHERE TALES REST: Lotus Club, Ernakulam. — Photo: VipinChandran

KOCHI: Lotus Club, of the oldest clubs in Kochi, has turned 75. In spite of the mushrooming of modern clubs in the city in the past couple of decades, Lotus Club has retained its character and individuality.

Over the years the club has remained faithful to its objective — "a club where men, women and children of all communities would have the opportunity of meeting together and cultivating mutual acquaintance and promoting good fellowship."

The club was founded in 1931 at the initiative of Lady Bristow, wife of Sir Robert Bristow, the legendary British harbour engineer who built the Kochi port. The club was initially located at Ladies' Association Hall, but was soon relocated to a plot of land on Warriam Road, which was donated by the then Cochin Government. The club celebrated its first anniversary on September 9, 1932 in the presence of the then Maharaja of Cochin.

The members in the past included several illustrious people, including top administrators, judges, artistes and writers. There have been members who have stayed faithful to the club for over 50 years. Writer Somerset Maugham was among the important international visitors to the club.

Justice M. Ramachandran Nair of the High Court opened the platinum jubilee celebrations recently. T.B. Venugopal, secretary of the club, says the festivities will go on for the rest of the year and end with the New Year's Day celebration. He said the club would acquire more sporting facilities and hold more entertainment activities.

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