The combination of a young aspirational population, rising wealth and rapidly evolving social life has acted as a tailwind for Members only Clubs in India. Our first place is our homes, second is workplace and the third is our personal refuge. This personal refuge may be a private member’s club. The Members only Clubs were first established in the late 1800s by the British, as a place for white men to socialise, which was later adopted by elite civilians of India. Covid brought social clubbing to its new heights. In fact the pandemic brought people closer to Mother Nature as many younger generation entrepreneurs, CEOs, CFOs and employees of MNCs were working from hills and affiliated clubs. In the process Members only Clubs became a space where work and leisure merged. It has provided millennial members a place to network and unwind in an exclusive setting since these sanctums provide an opportunity for networking, unwinding and access to many places globally.
“In our club soccer, rugby, hockey, tennis, darts and swimming etc. are played regularly, along with Cricket. The club is also very popular social hangout place for the members in Kolkata. Our club also hosted many Ranji Trophy and Deodhar Trophy matches at the ground. We appreciate fusion of heritage clubs, which bring more healthy sports & social clubbing. Our members, on reciprocity with variety of clubs, get a chance to travel across the globe and bring betterment by interaction with elite members.”
– Mr. Guneet Singh Grewal, Vice President, Calcutta Cricket & Football Club, Kolkata, a member of the club for more than 30 years
Located in the city of Yoga Capital of the World, and nestled on the picturesque riverbanks of the Holy River Ganga Rishikesh Club offers a stunning view of Great Himalaya. Facing to Rajaji National Elephant Forest, the club makes a perfect destination for members seeking club etiquette and protocol with world-class amenities. It has all modern clubbing infrastructure like Gymnasium, Yoga deck, Swimming Pool, Panchakarma Wellness Spa, Guest Rooms, Restaurants, Lawn, Banquet Hall, Coffee Shop, Travel Desk, Child Play area, and Business Conference Hall.
“India is a storehouse of talent, especially in the field of sports. Mentoring of this talent is a part of the activities of members managed sports clubs in India. Clubs help sportsmen to develop their skills from a very young age, providing central assistance to future heroes. Heritage clubs with sports values, provide best facilities for spending quality time with family and networking with entrepreneurs. It plays an important role in the life of club members.”
Atul Maru, Hony. Secretary, National Sports Club of India, Mumbai, who has been a member of the club for more than 36 years
The concept of limited handpicked membership was in trend in Members only Clubs and elite gentry has made this an aspirational concept. These limited membership clubs with difficult admission process, costly membership fee, and long waiting list stretching into years and generations in most of the metro cities created their own value. However, the concept of social and sports clubbing is now evolving and bringing up clubs as Lifestyle clubs, which provide opportunities for networking and brainstorming with same set of intellectuals.
Riding on old clubbing etiquette and identifying needs of new generation, Rishikesh Club is evolving itself into a full-fledged modern Members Club. Equipped with all possible paraphernalia the Club offers a cool and tranquil atmosphere. Members can enjoy river rafting, engage with like-minded sports lovers, watch the nature, indulge in creative brainstorming and socialize in a perfect clubbing culture. From its humble beginning, the Rishikesh Club has come a long way. Now it has a nice blend of elite class ranging from royal families, sportsmen, doctors from AIIMS, judges, bureaucrats, industrialists, businessman, Defence services personal and high-end professionals.
“Emerging India needs non-profit managed clubs to strengthen sportsmanship and social clubbing. This is the reason our club federation is working collectively to bring social clubs on a common platform to exchange cultural and social activities, energizing more vibrant secularism. Since each club is unique for its architecture and sports facilities; old and big clubs of metro cities are penetrating clubbing ethics and values to surrounding regional clubs and thru reciprocity these values transform members of all the clubs.”
Bowring Institute’s 41 years experienced club member HS Srikanth, President of Karnataka Federation of Clubs, Bangalore
Thanks to the privileged access and affiliations with the top elite clubs of the world, Rishikesh Club today is counted amongst the top Elite clubs in the world. Membership is granted only with strict interview procedure. Members value their membership because the Club promotes fellowship and camaraderie. Rishikesh Club is affiliated with most of the prominent clubs in India and elite clubs worldwide including USA, Europe, Australia, Africa, China, Middle East, and South East Asia. Affiliation with worldwide clubs allows its members to access facilities of all affiliated clubs with same rights and affordable prices. Members travelling outside the country can stay in club rooms, use restaurants / sports facilities / networking infrastructure and feel local in global.
“Club culture is essential for sports, health fitness, family bonding, business and social networking. Here we meet people who are on same wavelength to discuss hobbies, economics, politics, and national policies. Ladies feel secured in limited membership club with quality family time and hobbies. India has rich clubbing culture from metro cities like Delhi to small hill cities, like Rishikesh. With benefit of affiliation between clubs, members can travel in different cities to learn different cultures and multi city circle.”
Mr. Ajay Bansal, Chairman of National Sports Club of India, Delhi
The management’s broad vision is to bring the community together with aligned interests towards the continued growth and success of members. And also, make it a place for families and like-minded individuals to come together in the serenity the Rishikesh city provides.
