Established in 1993, the Press Club of Jammu, which is passing through its tender age, needs constant care for its growth to bring it to the level of the best Clubs in the country. Therefore, keeping in view this challenging task, main thrust is being given on its developmental activities, besides taking care of other allied professional obligations.

Since its establishment, the Club Managing Committees of the times had been making sincere efforts for the Club’s development. But due to non availability of sufficient funds, no significant development could be achieved.

Sensing the gravity of situation and taking cognizance of the long pending desires of the members, the Managing Committee, soon after taking charge in 2004, started efforts to find ways and means to raise the revenue for the Club development. Giving due consideration to the Member’s desires, the Committee chalked out several income generating schemes, which were later adopted by the consensus. Within short period, significant improvement surfaced in the Club infrastructure, resulting in addition of several new Club facilities for its members. Though, much has been done so far, but a lot more is still required to be done to give final shape to this institution.

Developmental Activities - To carry out a dream development project, the Managing Committee in 2004-05, evolved an economically viable master development plan, which could build a strong Club infrastructure for creation of better facilities for the Club members.

Though, the challenging development project was taken in hand with insufficient funds, but the Committee had a strong will to make this dream true by generating revenue through various channels within the Club resources. With concerted efforts of the Managing Committee and cooperation of the Club members, several income generating schemes were floated and implemented effectively. With the result sufficient funds started pouring in and the Committee was able to launch the 1st phase of the development project vigorously.

In the 1st phase of the project, twelve construction / renovation and modification works were taken in hand, which were completed within a short span of three years. These works included: (i) construction of a spacious centrally air-conditioned bar, comprising two parts of Smoking and Non-Smoking zones (ii) construction of a spacious liquor store, (iii) construction of a well furnished front gate Reception Room, (iv) construction of state-of–the–art three staircases (v) two tastefully developed lush green Lawns, decorated with ornamental plants, having a fully furnished beautiful Hut (vi) construction of four ultra modern Lavatories for men and women, (vii) renovation and modernization of Club Kitchen and Club inner reception all on the ground floor. (viii) construction of a big air-conditioned banquet hall, having three part, where different functions can be arranged at a time, this hall shall be later on converted in to three game halls for indoor games like, Table Tennis, Billiard / Snooker and Health Club, (ix) construction of an A.C. Managing Committee Room with Internet/Website facilities, (x) construction of a well equipped Library for the facility of the Club members, which has been dedicated to Late Ashok Sodhi, a veteran Photo Journalist of the State. (xi) Construction of a modern kitchen and pantry, equipped with all the latest electronic gadgets (xii) construction of a furnished A.C. Card Room on the 1st floor. By the completion of these works, the Club got a new face lift, giving a unique look to the Club complex besides it is now providing several new facilities to its esteemed members.

In the second phase of the project, six major works are likely to be taken in hand shortly. These works include: (i) Construction of a big Auditorium - cum – Conference hall with sitting capacity of above 300 persons, (ii) Construction of an office complex to accommodate the Administrative/ Accounts staff, (iii) Construction of rooms to provide this facility to the member’s guests, (iv) Construction of a small swimming pool. (v) Renovation / Modification of old Restaurant hall and (vi) Renovation / Modification of Club Kitchen.

Reform Activities - Under reform activities, several reforms were made and applied for the benefit of the Club members and wherever required the same were got incorporated in the Club’s Memorandum of Association. Recently incorporated reforms include:

1. Journalist Member Welfare Fund with the aim to provide financial help to the deserving journalist members of the Club, who are really in need of money to meet the expenses of their medical treatment. In the case of distress, a journalist member is given an assistance of maximum Rs. 25, 000/- depending upon the seriousness of the illness and in the event of death of a journalist member, the bereaved family is given an assistance of Rs.50, 000/- only.
2. Personal Accidental Insurance Scheme to cover all the journalist members of the Club. Initially, this scheme was introduced providing coverage of Rs. One Lac. But now, from financial year 2009, the amount of coverage has been raised from Rs. one Lac to Rs. 2 Lac.
3. The journalist members, who have attained the Senior Citizen Status have been exempted the Annual Subscription. For male members, the Senior Citizen age limit has been fixed to 65 - years, while for female members this limit is 60 - years.
   

Organizational Activities - Under organizational activities several periodical programmes have been introduced in the Club which include :

1. Meet the Veteran programme: Under this programme, veteran journalist members are invited in the Club and honoured by the Journalist fraternity for their “Life Time Achievements”. Through this programme a learning platform is provided to the young journalists with the opportunity to meet the and enrich their knowledge from the life long experiences of these living legends.
2. Meet the Press programme: Under this programme, Ministers, Legislators, Corporators and Head of the Departments of the J & K State Government are invited to conduct Press Conferences and general interaction with the masses to project and highlight their achievements recorded by them in varied areas of their work, for the benefit of the public, through the medium of the Club. This programme also makes aware the general public about the programmes and policies adopted by the government for the development of the State and uplift of the downtrodden.
3. Seminars and Group discussions programme: Under these programmes prominent Personalities from Literary, Social and Political circles are invited in the Club to discuss the burning issues confronting the state and its people and find the solutions with the public opinion.
4. Photo Exhibitions - The Press Club organized a Week long Photo exhibition, captioned “ A TRIBUTE ” in the memory of late Ashok Sodhi, on his 1st Death Anniversary. Where 64 rare photographs of 9 well known Jammu based photo journalists were exhibited. Hundreds of visitors witnessed the exhibition and appreciated the creative skill of participating photo journalists.

Social Activities - Under the social activities, the Press Club organizes several programmes of public interest in its premises to create awareness among the members and general public by arranging workshops on different issues. Recently, a Diabetes awareness programme was arranged in the Club in association with the Diabetes Care Foundation, which was attended by several Diabetes experts including renowned Dr. Jitendera Singh. On this occasion free blood sugar testing facility for Diabetes detection was also made available for the Club members, besides delivering lectures and screening of audio visual CD’s and slide shows on Diabetes awareness.

Cultural Activities - Under the Cultural activities, the Club arranges several cultural programmes periodically for the entertainment of the Club members. Recently a full length Nukkar Play, “TOBA TEK SINGH” written by renowned Urdu story writer, Suadat Hassan Mantoo and Produced and Directed by well known stage artist of the State, Mr. Mushtaq Kak, based on emotional story of partition of India, was played in the lawns of the Club. The play dedicated to late Ashok Sodhi, was witnessed by large number of Club members and their guests and was highly appreciated by the audience.

Sports Activities - Under Sports activities, the Club arranges “Friendly Cricket / Soccer Matches” with other Cricket / Soccer teams of different sports Clubs of Jammu. This initiative has been taken to strengthen the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding among the Journalist fraternity and different sections of society. It is worthwhile to mention here that most of the matches played till date in different game categories have been won by our teams and not only won the Trophies and Cash prizes but brought laurel to the Press Club of Jammu.