A SAGA OF TRIUMPH

The Banerji Memorial Club, a century-old institution and a trailblazer in its endowment, fosters connections and relationships that transcend age and time. lt is located in the northern part of Thekkinkad Maidan in the Thrissur district of Kerala. ln 1914 the club etched its name in history as one of the oldest sports clubs in Kerala, and since then, it has continued to provide exceptional services in various domains, including social work, charitable activities, and more.

History of Banarji Club

Back in 19L4, the club sprang to life, born from the visionary mind of Sir Albion Rajkumar Banerji - an lndian civil servant who held important administrative positions such as the Diwan of Cochin, the 21st Diwan of Mysore, and the Prime Minister of Kashmir. Thanks to the graciousness of the Maharaja of Cochin, who ceded land. and building, Mr. J.H Bhor,LC.S Diwan of Cochin became the first president of the club, J.S Mac Beam took on the role of the honorary secretary while, his Highness Sir Ramavarma (GCtS),the Raja of Cochin, served as the patron. Over time the club's name evolved to become the Banerji Mennorial Club.

Overtime the club's name evolved to become the Banerji Memorial Club under the presidency of Mr. J.W.Bhor (lCS), Diwan of Cochin, in 1914.

The club's initial members,a team of 40,included British nationals such as G.E.Browing, H.W.M / Brown, K.E Nicell, Dr.G.N Coomer, committee members,Lordship Mar Timotheus, Rev.John Menachery as Honorary rnembers such as Dora iswa my,V.T. Krish na mccha ry,T.S. N a raya n a lyer, K.S.Shanku Warrier,and Dr.Rammuny Menon.

ln 1956, the club relinquished 13 cents of land to the formation of the Karunakaran Nambiar Road and the construction of the municipal guest house, following an agreement with the Thrissur Municipality and Cochin Dewaswom Board (CDB) in return, the CDB provided the club with an equal area of land on the northeastern side of the premises, which was transformed into a tennis court.Subsequently,the club raised an indoor badrninton court and an additional tennis court in 2003-2004.

lnitially, the club served officers, but it soon transformed into an all-inclusive institution. The club celebrated its golden and diamond jubilees in 1964 and 1974 respbctively, during which it upgraded the clubhouse and introduced several more amenities. To celebrate its Platinum jubilee, the club refurbished the rear portion of the building. ln 2004, the Madhubhan initiative kicked off, and in 2014, the club marked its centennial. Today, the Banerji Club is a Swaraj Round icon, a testament to its continued excellence, with total 743 members of which 74 arehonorary members, 156 life members remaining 513 are resident members.