Gynaecologist and obstetrician (consultant in infertility) Pronab Dasgupta had always “looked forward” to being the CC&FC president. “It is a 222-year-old club. To be the president of a club with such a rich tradition and history is something I am very happy about,” the 68-year-old Alipore resident told t2, four months after taking over. The experience, for him, is “exciting and sometimes fascinating”.

Juggling the roles of a high-profile doctor and the president of a high-profile club must be tough...

That’s true, but… I feel it is important that to be a good doctor, you must also be a good sportsman. Your hands are better, you think better and fresh. I myself played a lot of cricket. I love this club for many reasons. I used to play cricket here and my children (son Arnab and daughter Meghna) used to go around on cycles and cheer for me… ‘Baba, all the best!’ I have got a lot of love for this club. 

What is your action plan for the club?

Our main objective is to promote sports, but people think this is only a sporting club. Not really. You go through our entertainment roster… in December itself we have 14 events. When it comes to sports, we were the hockey and rugby champions. I would love CC&FC to be football and cricket champions.... I’d definitely like to improve the food of the club. Also, there is lots of pending membership. We are trying to take more and more young people. We don’t think twice about taking sportsmen. We have also taken quite a number of member’s children and intend to take more. 

What’s new at CC&FC?

We have just renovated the restaurant (Dining Room). We are trying to upgrade the gym and the bar (Black Dog Bar)…. And some changes in the tennis court and the swimming pool. The bar will have a new look, but we will maintain the heritage. We are trying to have a gym with the most modern facilities. We will work on better lights for the tennis court. I have wonderful members who are helping with sponsorship for different projects. So, without hurting the corpus of the club, we shall do projects for the club. And I have a long-term wish… residential facilities. 
We are thinking of starting table tennis and billiards. We are trying to make it more professional… get more local players. We are trying to sort out the waterlogging problem on the grounds and to get a better path for the morning-walkers. 

Is this the members’ wish list?

I have got friends and patients here… they are now my friends. And since I come to the club every day, I get an opportunity to meet them. I talk to them almost every day and I try to find out what their feelings are. Then I put it to the general committee and they are most encouraging. 

What do you think is the mantra to be a successful club president?

To be accessible to all the members. I am here almost every evening. My patients and my wife (Iti) are not very happy with it! (Laughs) You need co-operation from the general committee members, past presidents and present members. You also need total co-operation from everybody including your family members. That way, I am lucky. Iti is co-operative. My children are so encouraging. The Roy Zaltsman (mentalist) event was a huge success. They called me and congratulated me. That gives you a lot of encouragement. 

What are you doing to keep the youngsters in the club?

There is no doubt about it, in this club we have the maximum number of youngsters. Sports is played by youngsters… even the veterans play here. Every Wednesday night is a disco night in the club. We are relaxed on dress rules. You can walk in in a pair of jeans. 

Do you think that helps?

I think so…. Certain clubs are strict about the dress code. Here we are not that strict. We are a sporting club. Youngsters who are sportsmen get a lot of opportunities here. I became a member here without any interview. I signed on a piece of paper and started playing here... this club is so sports-oriented. Later, of course, I went for an official interview. I have another fond memory. I was born on January 1. Eighty percent of the ladies here are my patients. So, on December 31 night, they would shout, ‘Dr Dasgupta Happy Birthday!’ (Smiles)

Finally, is the club making a profit?

The club is making profit, but this year we have lost sponsorship from liquor companies… about Rs 30-40-50 lakh. That’s stopped completely because they are not doing well. We are now cutting on food supply…. We haven’t increased the prices of drinks, but the number of people drinking has gone up. We have no other option but to go for other sponsorship. 

Mr President
Has been a member of the club for 35 years
Loves hanging out in the Main Bar
Once a keen cricketer, now watches, rather than plays, sport On the football front, is a fan of Manchester United, Brazil and Argentina 
Has watched David Beckham play live 
Virat Kohli and Neymar are among his favourites now

Saionee Chakraborty