Our Achivements

We Delivered ! What We Promised !!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNSTINTED SUPPORT!!

Dear Members,

As the term comes to an end and we await the start of a new one with a new Managing Committee elected by you, we take this opportunity to thank you for the unstinted cooperation rendered to the Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA) team.

Two years ago, you elected the PDA team with a thumping majority. Your trust was not misplaced! The two-year term, the first of its kind in the history of the Press Club, was a milestone in many ways. Two years ago, you sat and sweated under an asbestos roof. Today, you have the option to chill in a centrally airconditioned recreation area or relax in the breeze on the terrace or the garden Patio.

We did not make too many airy promises, but we made two significant commitments. And we have honoured them. We said we would create a brand new Clubhouse of international standards, and the result is there before us. We said we would see through the Mhada Journalists Housing Scheme; and in another 3 months allotments of housing units are likely to begin.

It is not just a new Clubhouse that has been created. With it has come a new culture and ambience that has earned our community a new respect. As a surprised Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said at the March 28 inaugural ceremony of the Clubhouse: “I never knew journalists could create something as grand as this!”

To elaborate on the significant milestones of the PDA’s two-year term:

• Successful completion of the Clubhouse that offers high class recreation to our members, as well as new dignity, and much-needed privacy.
• Crossing the 1,000 membership mark with high enrolment of women members and a rapidly increasing visitation by families.
• Record-breaking mobilization of funds of over Rs 1.2 crore for the Clubhouse Project that has more than covered our expenses and allowed us to prepay our bank loan. This has also meant that the reconstruction project was entirely levy-free for members!
• A spanking new Media Center with high-end LG computer workstations that have come without cost to the Club.
• Technological up gradation of the Press Club by making it the only press club in India with a regular email service and website as well as an entirely computerized billing and accounts system.
• Smarter and better skilled staff that have undergone service training for three months by qualified professionals.

The inauguration of an Inter-Media Football Tournament that has helped the spirit of camaraderie among our community.

The initiation of training programmes for journalists with the help of institutions like ICICI Bank. Also, an MoU with exchange4media for the development of a Media Training Academy in Mumbai that will offer jobs to senior journalists.

After several marathon meetings with the Chief Minister, a notification in February 2007 recognizing journalists as a category entitled for a ‘Special Housing Scheme’ under Section 13(2) of the Mhada Act; and a policy decision on May 24, 2007 to grant 300 homes to Press Club members.

And finally, after the inauguration of the Clubhouse, a commitment by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh that he would sign the ‘G.O. sometime after the budget session.’

Dear Member, the PDA has delivered results. The PDA has put the Press Club on a growth trajectory. It has made it the foremost media representative in the city.

But there is a lot of work still to be done, especially the housing project.

Trust us!

In the forthcoming elections for Office Bearers and Managing Committee members, your support will help the Club grow to further heights.

Devendra Mohan

Gurbir Singh

Rajesh Mascarenhas

Swati Deshpande

Ajit Joshi

Santosh Bane

Gordon D’Costa

Edwin Fernandes

Ninad Sidhaye
Santosh Andhale

Mumbai
July 15th, 2008