It all started with the initiative of the then Indian ambassador to Indonesia His Excellency Mr. Bhutani, on Aug. 23, 1981, when about 20 Indian families held an informal meeting at JIS-Patimura enjoying homemade snacks and hot tea. It is this modest beginning that has successfully transformed into today’s well established India Club.
India Club Holi 2011
The 100-odd Jakarta-based Indian families who were the initial club members always looked forward to the annual visiting artist from India for entertainment over a weekend. The membership over the years gradually rose to 200, 300 and even 500 families by the mid-1990s. The club was operated very informally in a low-key manner mainly organizing sociocultural events.
Since then the India Club has transformed into a premier informal sociocultural organization for all Indians in Jakarta and has been a medium to showcase vibrant Indian culture in Indonesia.
The objectives of this organization are to maintain, develop and promote Indian cultural heritage among Indian families, children and other nationalities with an understanding and appreciation of Indian culture, literature, music, art, dance, drama and related fields. This club is also a social platform for charitable causes.
Some of the prominent artists who have performed in Jakarta at the invitation of the India Club during the past years include Sonal Mansingh, Samyukta Panigrahi, Chitra, Jagjit Singh, Anup Jalota, Gulam Ali, Pandit, Bhimsen Joshi, Asha Bhosale, Amit Kumar & Hema Malini and Sonu Nigam. Besides this, the club generally organizes two mega events every year, namely the Diwali Dinner and the colorful Holi festival celebrated in traditional Indian style. The latest Indian films are screened exclusively for the club members.
In the area of social welfare, wherever possible the club assists in helping the needy especially in times of natural calamities like the Gujarat earthquake and floods. The club also actively coordinates with the Indian Embassy and JNICC to jointly organize several joint programs and events.
Currently the India Club has over 400 members and their families. They are supported by an elected committee that works in tandem to plan and implement the calendar of events. Regular print and email newsletters keep the members informed and updated on events and information. The club has its office and administrative staff in Kuningan, South Jakarta. For more details on the club visit the website or email to indiaclub@cbn.net.id.
As published in The Jakarta Post
