Deepankar Nandi at CC&FC’s sit-out area, one of his favourite spots in the club. Nandi resigned at the AGM in July after being the CEO for almost 10 years. Picture: Rashbehari Das

First of all I would like to say that I was privileged and it was a matter of great pride to have been working at CC&FC, a club which I love. I have done almost 10 years here, a long time in club management. This was more of a passion than a job for me.

Although the reason is personal, all I can say is that I was no longer enjoying it and I thought it was not right to go on with the routine day-to-day administration without making positive contributions to the club. It is no point going to work for the sake of going to work! If you know my connect with the club, it was not an easy call. But having done it, I feel relieved. I am now serving my notice period.

I would like to thank the presidents and general committee members I worked with — for their cooperation — and indeed to all the members. My grateful thanks to the past presidents and seniors for their guidance and encouragement. I would like to acknowledge the contribution made by the club staff and workers during my tenure.

I received the support of all the Army officers I came in contact with. I am grateful to them. A big “thank you” to all the sponsors and well-wishers of the club. Maybe you will see a better face soon!

Jokes apart, CC&FC does not need a face. It is a huge institution with tremendous amount of history, tradition and goodwill. For over 220 years it has taught and inspired generations to play the game like a gentleman. During my tenure, I always tried to do what I thought was best for the club.

My connection with the club is a very old love affair! I first played on this hallowed ground in 1970, leading the St. Xavier’s school cricket team in a friendly match against CC&FC. Surup Guhathakurta was the club captain (the first Indian to captain the CC&FC cricket team). I had dreamt of becoming a member since then. Between then and 1982, when I became a member, I played quite a few cricket and football matches here representing St. Xavier’s College, Dooars and Assam Planters’ teams.

This is primarily a sports club. I joined the club for sports and went on to represent the first teams in all four major sports here — cricket, football, hockey and rugby. We had great times on and off the field and I still do not know if this was my first or second home then. Like I once said, my misspent youth was misspent here! Given another chance, I would not have done it any other way. I have travelled around the world but the trips with the sports section of CC&FC were among the most enjoyable ones.

When I returned to Calcutta from South Africa in end-2004, I grabbed the opportunity to head the club administration. I had completed about 30 years of corporate life by then. On our decision to return, my wife feared that I will go back to spending a major part of my life in CC&FC. I had assured her then that this would not happen. Then this job happened! At least I could tell her that I was going to office! In fullness of time, I was happy to work as the CEO.

Within the limited scope here, a lot has been done in the last 10 years. New bar, dining room, kitchen, toilets upstairs, new ladies’ changing room, renovated Pool Lounge, sit-out area, new-look pavilion, relocation of food counters and staff quarters, floodlighting of the ground and tennis courts, new car parking area and paving of the road leading to it, renovation of the club kitchen, bar and changing rooms.... While the entire credit for these should go to the respective presidents and committee members, I am proud to be associated with these projects which benefitted the members.

I am sure that the club management will find a good and suitable replacement soon. I will always wish the club management only the very best. I am certain that all of you who have supported the club and have been its well-wishers will continue to extend your support to the club and my successor. I have worked with seven presidents and a lot of committee members. They have all been great to work with and have always extended their co-operation. They might have had different styles of functioning but all of them had one thing in common — they had the good of the club in mind.

We also have a great set of staff and workers here. I sincerely appreciate their contribution during my tenure and I am sure they will continue to put in their best efforts in future.

My future plan? To spend some quality time with family and friends (I could not do enough of that in the last 10 years), take a break, travel a bit (which is my passion), and then decide what to do with my time and life!

I can go back to being an old member of CC&FC, enjoy the facilities at times without worrying about anything else.

And, maybe, I will take a fresh guard... who knows?