Press Club of India

Press Club of India (PCI) is an association of journalists and media professionals in New Delhi, India. Founded by Durga Das in 1957, it is led by an annually elected executive body, which consists of a president, vice president, secretary-general, joint secretary and treasurer[1] besides 16 members of the managing committee.[2] As of 2021, it has around 4,200 active members, 900 associate members and a few dozen corporate members, making it the largest body of journalists in India.[3]

Press Club of India
Formation20 December 1957 (1957-12-20)
FounderDurga Das
Headquarters1, Raisina Road, near Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi 110001, India
President
Umakant Lakhera
Vice President
Shahid K Abbas
Secretary-General
Vinay Kumar
Joint Secretary
Chander Shekhar Luthra
Revenue
₹ 9,00,00,000 INR (2021)
Websitewww.pressclubofindia.org

History

During the 1930s, Durga Das used to visit London as part of his regular business trips while he still worked for the Associated Press of India. He was inspired from the London Press Club and motivated himself to replicate a similar model in India.[4] Press Club of India was established on 20 December 1957 by then editor-in-chief of Hindustan Times, Durga Das. It was incorporated on 10 March 1958 and was inaugurated on 2 February 1959 with just 30 members by then Home Minister Govind Ballabh Pant.[5] Das was elected as its founding president whereas DR Mankekar as its first secretary-general.

PCI got itself an official website and an email address during the tenure of secretary-general Pushpendra Kulshrestha.[6] In August 2009, PCI treasurer Nadim Kazmi called an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to dissolve the incumbent management committee led by secretary-general Pushpendra Kulshrestha, accusing the latter of financial irregularities and authoritarianism.[7] Couple of days later, amid the controversy, Indian National Congress leader Sonia Gandhi relinquished her honorary membership of the club.[8] In late September 2009, the Delhi High Court upheld the management committee led by Kulshrestha as legitimate, allowing him to continue his fourth term.[9] In November 2010, TR Ramachandran was elected as the new president of PCI whereas Sandeep Dikshit as its new secretary-general. The group of journalists have been governing PCI since then.[10]

In early 2021, PCI president Umakant Lakhera announced that the club will soon establish the Bangabandhu Media Centre in honor of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of nation of Bangladesh.[11] In late 2021, PCI organized a seminar titled 'The Reciprocal Relations Between Parliament and Media', in which Indian National Congress politician Mallikarjun Kharge raked the issue of media personnel being denied entry into the Parliament of India.[12]

References
  1. Staff, Millat Times. "Shams Tabrez Qasmi is Felicitated with Amar Shaheed Molvi Baqar Award 2021 | Millat Times | Multilingual Digital Media House". Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  2. Desk, NH Web (11 April 2021). "Liberal panel headed by Umakant Lakhera wins Press Club of India elections". National Herald. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  3. "Press Club of India Encounters a New Plot Twist in Its Endeavour to Acquire Land". The Wire. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  4. "Profile | Press Club Of India". Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  5. "Press Club of India observes its 64th foundation day". ThePrint. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  6. K.K, Sruthijith (20 October 2008). "Polls evoke memories of Press Club's heyday". mint. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  7. "Press Club votes against leadership - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  8. "As journalists fight on, Sonia gives back her Press Club card - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  9. "HC upholds Pushpendra Kulshrestha as press club secretary general". news.webindia123.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  10. Team, N. L. "Panel wins Press Club elections for 12th consecutive year; Umakant Lakhera to be president". Newslaundry. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  11. sun, daily. "Press Club of India to set up media centre in Bangabandhu's honour | Daily Sun |". daily sun. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  12. "Journalism Today, and What it was in Nehru's Time". NewsClick. 24 December 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
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