Celebrating 425 years of Hyderabad: Not so laidback anymore

Present day Hyderabadis may have lots to complain about, but Secunderabad Club president B. Sashidhar has lived in Hyderabad all his life and fondly remembers the traffic-free roads and relaxed life that the city once offered.

“I have lived in this city all my life. In fact, my family has been here for six generations now. Today’s frenetic pace of life and hurry to make money wasn’t part of the Hyderabad that I grew up in.

“We had a very lovely, laid-back childhood. It was a peaceful life. Most importantly, everybody knew everybody, so that made life easy,” says Sashidhar.
Established in 1878, Secunderabad Club is one of the five oldest clubs in India, starting off as an exclusive club for the nobility of Hyderabad and officers of the British Cantonment.

Sashidhar states, “The club premises hasn’t changed much over the years, although club rules and regulations have been updated. We try to keep the old charm of the club intact.”

On what makes Hyderabad special for him, Sashidhar says, “All cities change with time. I was born and brought up here, so the city is special to me. Despite the changes, there is a feeling of seamless integration among the people of Hyderabad, and that is what makes this city stand apart.”