Kolkata: Reduced subscription fees, indoor games, doctor consultations on age-related ailments and no minimum monthly billing — Kolkata’s heritage clubs are rolling out year-round initiatives to keep their senior members active, engaged and socially connected. With many elderly members living alone or with ageing spouses while their children are settled outside the city, clubs are trying to ward off loneliness and depression.Calcutta Rowing Club (CRC) in Rabindra Sarobar organised a chess tournament for its senior members on Sunday. The club organised a bridge competition for the seniors earlier. “Games like chess or bridge keep the brain working. Many elderly people suffer from loneliness and depression, and games like these can keep them engaged and happy. We have many seniors who come to the club gym regularly. They also take part in rowing,” said Chandan Roy Choudhury, honorary secretary of Calcutta Rowing Club.Several Calcutta University professors and administrators participated in a chess tournament. “Diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other nervous disorders have been increasing rapidly. Chess is the best practice to keep the brain functional while reducing the chances of such diseases. Several of our teachers participated today, and we are also planning to organise such a program shortly,” Calcutta University vice-chancellor Asutosh Ghosh said.Several clubs, including Dalhousie Institute (DI) and Calcutta International Club, offer a reduced subscription fee to their senior members. They are also exempt from any minimum monthly billing.“We charge Re 1 as a monthly subscription from our members who are 65 years and above, and have been our member for 25 years. There is no monthly minimum billing,” said a DI member. Kisor Sen, the club’s honorary secretary, said an initiative by the club named DISCO (DI Senior Citizens’ Org) is held on the last Friday of every month. “There are fun games, group activity, fitness sessions and advice from doctors. We had sessions on balance and movement,” Sen said.Calcutta International Club offers a reduced subscription fee and reduced monthly minimum billing for its members who are 65 years and above, and have been members for 25 years. “We offer them this privilege so that they come to the club frequently and connect with people,” said Jayajit Biswas, honorary secretary of the club.At Calcutta Club, ‘healthcare is a priority’ for its senior members, said Anusua Das, president of the club. “We have a daily health check desk supported by a leading Kolkata hospital. Regular health and vaccination camps, and awareness sessions on geriatric health are held. We have also introduced a digital help desk to assist members with the Club App and digital services, ensuring technology never becomes a barrier,” she said.Tollygunge Club’s annual fixture includes an “annual seniors’ golf tournament”, said Brig V Ganapathy (Retd), chief executive and managing member of The Tollygunge Club. “Kobi Pronam, a cultural tribute to Rabindranath Tagore; Seniors’ Evening, held on Senior Citizens’ Day, which provides a platform to showcase their talents in poetry, music, dance, drama and other forms of creative expression are held. Bridge is another particularly popular activity, with senior members constituting a substantial proportion of participants in our bridge tournaments,” he said.
