Farewell after 70: London's cherished India Club to close
The India Club, which is an iconic lounge-cum-restaurant-bar in London, is closing permanently on September 17 after 70 years of service. Set up back in 1951, this Indo-British place is no less than a 'home-away-from-home' for first-generation Indian immigrants. The club is closing because the building it is housed in is set to be demolished to establish a new-age hotel.
The club had been battling against closure for several years
A few years ago, the owner of the India Club, Yadgar Marker, along with his daughter Phiroza, launched a 'Save the India Club' appeal and fought against closure. After the petition received thousands of signatures, the duo won their battle against the demolition. However, last week, they announced the closure of the iconic club, delivering a blow to many patrons across the city.
It was the only place for Indians to catch up
BBC reports that this club was founded by the India League and even had Jawaharlal Nehru as a founding member. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, this was the only place where Indians could catch up with folks speaking various Indian languages and enjoying masala dosa and butter chicken. They used this space to organize meetings and celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and festivals like Diwali.
The club has photos of Gandhi, Nehru, and Krishna Menon
Nestled on the first floor of the Hotel Strand Continental, the club features photographs of many Indian nationalists and freedom fighters including Gandhi, Nehru, and Krishna Menon. Menon was among the founding members of this club who later became the first Indian High Commissioner to the UK. September 17 this year happens to be its last working day until it sets in history.
Patrons are unhappy as the place will shut down soon
Several old and new patrons of the India Club are saddened by the news of its closure. They believe that this will have London losing a very important piece of its history and culture. "India Club was a secret entrance to a past world: a little slice of Indo-British history on the Strand. It will be sorely missed," Shrabani Basu told TNIE.
Shashi Tharoor feels disheartened; laments the closure of the club
Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took to social media to express his emotions on the closure of the India Club. "I am sorry to hear that the India Club, London, is to close permanently in September. For many students, journalists, and travelers, it was a home away from home, offering simple and good quality Indian food" and a "convivial atmosphere to meet," he wrote.
