By Shazia Shah | Kashmir Pen
SRINAGAR | June 30, 2025
The Amar Singh Club, Srinagar, held its Annual General Meeting on Sunday, June 29, 2025, with a strong focus on institutional reforms, inclusive democracy, and social responsibility. The meeting was chaired by Rauf A. Punjabi, Managing Committee Member, who presided over the proceedings in the absence of Club President and Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, due to unforeseen official commitments.
In his welcome address, Secretary Nasir Hamid Khan conveyed the warm regards and best wishes of the Hon’ble President to the members and led the house in observing a minute of silence to honour the memory of distinguished members who passed away during the year, including Muhammad Shafi Pandit, Devender Singh Rana, Prof. Mian Sualeh Mustafa, Er. Mohammad Aslam Khan, and Mir Mohammed Hussain Kanth.
Presenting the Club’s progress report, Khan outlined the tremendous financial turnaround, with annual revenues growing from ₹86 lakhs in 2019–20 to ₹4.45 crores in 2024–25. Notably, the Club paid ₹1.29 crores in GST and significantly expanded staff strength. Acknowledging the contributions of former secretaries Er. Mian Mushtaq, Rouf Fazili, and especially Er. Showkat Ahmed Shahdad, he also extended gratitude to senior and young members whose unwavering support aided the Club’s ongoing transformation.
Khan highlighted a pioneering initiative titled ‘Common Interest Conversations’, aimed at addressing critical societal issues in Kashmir such as digital addiction, drug abuse, women’s wellness, eldercare, unemployment, and urban planning. This socially conscious engagement has attracted new members, including G.H. Kango, a retired IFS officer, who at the age of 90 became the oldest applicant in Club history. In a rare gesture, the General Body unanimously waived off the one-year probation period for him under Article 10(2) of the Constitution.
The audited accounts for 2023–24 were presented and approved, and amendments to the Constitution—pertaining to membership caps under Article 8(i), minute approvals under Article 40(v), and revision of admission categories and fees—were passed after detailed discussions. A landmark inclusion was the addition of single women as a distinct membership category, approved on nominal terms.
A significant moment came under Agenda Item VI when Bilal Ahmed Dar proposed a socially impactful amendment regarding event charges for marriage functions. While appreciating the Club’s ongoing support for underprivileged families through free banqueting facilities, he suggested revising the policy to charge members 50% of the notified rates for weddings of both sons and daughters—ending the earlier gender-based fee difference. More importantly, he recommended creating a special corpus fund by earmarking 10% of all banquet income to support marriage expenses for underprivileged girls. The General Body welcomed the idea and unanimously approved it, marking a historic step in community-centric policy.
Another pivotal reform came under Agenda Item VII when Senior Advocate Jehangir Iqbal Ganie proposed the deletion of Article 20(4), which barred Managing Committee members from contesting elections after two consecutive terms. Terming it a restriction on democratic rights and the principle of free choice, he passionately argued for members’ autonomy in electing leadership based on merit and performance. Eminent voices such as Showkat A. Zargar, Mustaq A. Wani, Shabir Ahmad, Mustaque Ali Khan, Ritu Kapoor, Mustaq Tantray, and Owais Qadir Jamie supported the resolution. It was adopted unanimously, reaffirming the Club’s commitment to democratic values.
Rauf A. Punjabi thanked all members for their active participation, while Mr. Nasir Hamid Khan concluded the meeting with a heartfelt vote of thanks to the Chair.
The AGM not only highlighted the Amar Singh Club’s strides in administrative and financial transparency but also set a progressive tone for future policy, inclusivity, and social outreach—making it a landmark event in the Club’s distinguished legacy.
