The historic India Club that sings tales of Indians who visited London after Independence, will be permanently shut down on Sept 17 after losing a demolition case. 

The 72-year-old iconic club that served as a rendezvous and a shelter to many Indian students, journalists, and travellers is about to get demolished. 

Tharoor expresses grief

Expressing the grief, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took to social media and shared photographs of the club on Aug 19. He expressed sadness at the closure announcement, and mentioned his father, Chandran Tharoor's connection with the historic venue.

Who managed the club?

The India Club proprietor, Yadgar Marker, and his daughter Phiroza started an appeal called "Save India Club". The historic meeting place and eatery place in the heart of London- The Strand.

The building will be demolished to make way for a modern hotel.

Marker used to work with one of the founders of the club, Krishna Menon.

The India Club became a second home for first-generation immigrants from the Indian subcontinent. Phiroza says that she has been helping her father since childhood.

Phiroza announced the news of the closure and said that she has had a close relationship with the club for 26 years. 

Moreover, the centre for migration and diaspora studies founder and chairman, Parvati Raman, said Menon believed that "we should build such a club where even poor Indians can eat."

Why is the India Club so iconic?

The India Club traces its roots back to 1951, with its founding members including Krishna Menon, who was the first Indian High Commissioner to the UK.

India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Lady Mountbatten were also among its founding members.

It was like a 'home away from home' for Indians who shared their tête-à-tête over a cup of tea in the club.

The venue was used as an event space by the Indian Journalist Association, the Indian Workers Association, and the Indian Socialist Group of Britain.

Now that the era is ending, Indians expressed grief over the demolition of the iconic building that once served as a homely yellow roof for Indians in London.

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