History

Chittagong Seniors Club an icon of elegance and aristocracy, tradition and excellence has a special place in the history of clubs in this sub-continent.

THIS CLUB WAS FOUNDED AS A PROTEST OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION TOWARDS THE INDIANS BY THE BRITISH.

The Chittagong Seniors’ Club Limited was established in 1927 under the patronage of late Kiran Chandra Dey (K. C. Dey), the then Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong, in association with some of the local Elites. Initially the Club was registered as Chittagong Institute Limited in 1927 and later the Club was christened as Chittagong Seniors’ Club Limited in 2010.

The story behind the birth of this Club is very historical and interesting, it goes as follows :

Mr. Kiran Chandra Dey (K. C. Dey), was the administrative head of Chittagong Division under the British regime and he applied for the Membership of Chittagong Club which was set-up by the arrogant Englishmen in 1878. It may be noted here that, because of racial discrimination, admission of Indians and other non-whites into the Club was strictly restricted during the British rule. Virtually, entry of Bengalis in the Club was totally barred in the true sense of the term under the spirit of their discriminative and divided policy. The application of Mr. Kiran Chandra Dey       (K. C. Dey) seeking Membership of Chittagong Club was instantly turned down by the Club Management. Whereas, Mr. Kiran Chandra Dey (K. C. Dey) was one of the highest ranking official representative of his Majesty, the King of United Kingdom and of British India in Chittagong Division. Such an open disrespect to a royal representative created great resentment in the minds of all walks of life of the society. Even petty British Clerks had the right to use the Club as Members, whereas holding the highest ranking government post of a Divisional Commissioner,  Mr. Kiran Chandra Dey’s (K. C. Dey) application for Club Membership was rejected simply because he was a Bengali Indian and not an Englishman.

After his application for Membership in Chittagong Club was rejected, Mr. Kiran Chandra Dey      (K. C. Dey) organised a group of eminent erudites viz, Dr. Annada Charan Khastagir, Ray Bahadur B. B. Chowdhury, Barrister J.K. Ghoshal, Barrister Khastagir, Mr. A.K. Chanda, Principal, Chittagong Government College, Eminent Professors, High Govt. Officials, Business Magnates, reputed Landlords etc. and it was resolved to setup a Club where social discrimination would be totally absent, where a person be measured by his intrinsic values and not by the color of his skin. Dr. Annada Charan Khastagir donated a spacious plot of land adjacent to Dr. Khastagir Girls High School in Jamal Khan Road on which the club house of Chittagong Seniors’ Club was constructed in 1927.

The Club was open to all locals for Membership and there was no discrimination as far as eligibility for Membership was concerned which was determined by the qualities, social status, age and educational background of the applicants. Mr. Kiran Chandra Dey (K. C. Dey), the Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong and the Founder President of the Club promptly provided all logistic support from the Government for the proposed Club and he directed issuance of the Bar License reportedly on the first day of his decision to form the Club. This was in fact a retaliatory and         apt action in protest of the racial policy of the British and the newly formed Club was registered with the Government as Chittagong Institute Limited.

The 2^nd phase of the Club’s development & reforms began in 1992 by the then Honourary General Secretary, Mr. S.M. Kamaluddin & Mr. Abdullah-Al-Ahsan, President (1998 – 2001) who contributed to the construction of the three storied Guest House, Badminton Court & Health Complex.

It has been felt in the recent past that keeping pace with the growth of the population of the city the club should increase its accommodation for new members and in this context it was decided in several meetings of the Club that the old cottage type Club House be dismantled and a modern Club Complex be built.  Accordingly a Master Plan was drawn and a ten (10) storey building was planned in Gothic Architectural Style. This bold &  firm step of demolishing the old structure & constructing & completing the new Club Building as it stands today, was initiated & completed by Mr. S. M. Abu Mohsin, President (2005 – 2010) & Advocate Rafiqul Anwar Chowdhury, Vice-President (2007-2010), & President (2010-2013), along with Managing Committee Members in 2009, namely, Mr. R. H. Kabir, Dr. Mohd. Iqbal Hossain, Mr. Md. Nasiruddin Chowdhury, Mr. Zainal Abedin (Zaidi), Mr. Rezaul Haider (Riju), Mr. Abul Kalam Azad (Kalam), Mr. Mohd. Manik Bablu.  As well as Managing Committee Members in 2010, namely, Mr. Mohd. Manik Bablu, Mr. Md. Yasin Chowdhury, Advocate Abul Kashem Chowdhury, Mr. Abul Kalam Azad (Kalam), Mr. R. H. Kabir, Dr. Mohd. Iqbal Hossain, Mr. Mohammad Ibrahim. However, it is also extremely important to mention the names of Dr. Moinul Islam Mahmud, Convener, Development Sub-Committee, Engr. Ali Ahmed, Eng. Parimal Kanti Chowdhury, both Members, Development Sub-Committee & Mr. M.A. Malek, President (2003 – 2005), who contributed much to the development of the new structure.

Considering that the club has increased its accommodation and facilities, it was decided that the number of Members could be increased to 500. It was also revised in 2014 that the Members’ Children, with proper eligibility, may be considered for inclusion as Members of the Club (Associate Member). However, it was also decided that they would be enrolled as Permanent Members of the Club after they attain the age of 35/26 for Members Sons / Daughters respectively. There was induction of new Members which includes Professionals, Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Businessmen, Industrialists, Bankers and Social Elites, all of whom contributed significantly for the development of this Club.

During the dynamic tenure of Advocate Rafiqul Anwar Chowdhury, (President 2010 – 2013) major development & beautification projects were undertaken. The game of Housie was introduced for the 1^st time in the History of the Club thus encouraging Members spouses and children above 12 years of age to participate. This was a great step towards the goal of converting the Club into a Family Club.

An Electric Sub-Station, 150 KVA Generator, Computerization of Work Stations for Online billing, An IT & Business Centre & Wi-Fi Internet System, Employees Finger Print ID Machine, Photocopier, An Exquisite Auditorium, An up to date Gymnasium, Salon, Ladies Beauty Parlour, Modern Laundry. A family Dining Hall & a Mini Dining Hall, Cocktail Lounge, A New Kitchen, A Visitors’ Lounge, 6 Luxurious 5 Star Standard Suites (which are undoubtedly the best rooms available in town) —- Club Secretariat, S.S. Railings & Granite in the stairways of 1^st Floor & Verandah of the Guest House and in the New Club Building and granite installed in the Corridor of the New Guest Rooms & Bath Rooms. A Shisha Room, Pool Section & Roof Top Barbecue Restaurant. Attractive fully air-conditioned & sound-proof Auditorium, Reception & Lobby, Dining Areas, Cocktail Lounge & Canteen were completed during the tenure of Advocate Rafiqul Anwar Chowdhury.

The Club was developed even further by Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Hossain (President 2013 – 2014) by the improvement of the President’s Chamber, the New Card Room, renovation of the Car Park, addition of the Club Secretariat and a New Exit Gate.

After a 12 months term Dr. Mohd. Iqbal Hossain was replaced, once again by Mr. S.M. Abu Mohsin (President 2014 – 2016) and the Club reverberated with many Entertainment Programmes during the period. The main development works done was setting-up of a New Club Library, covered Badminton Court and covered Roof Top as well as construction of a big Store Room.

Consequent to 2 years tenure of Mr. S.M. Abu Mohsin, the helms of affairs was again entrusted to Advocate Rafiqul Anwar Chowdhury (President 2016 – 2017). During his second tenure, Advocate Rafiqul Anwar Chowdhury & his colleagues attempted at consistently sustaining the reforms, development & beautification of the Club and renovation of the main Lobby & Reception area to transform it to a fine modern hall with a beautiful interior decor. To further enhance facilities for Members families & encourage & attract ladies & children to regularly come to the Club, 03 (three) major projects where taken in hand, namely, a Coffee Shop setup adjacent to the Library & a Ladies Gym which were also set-up much to the demand of the Honourable Members.