The history of foreign correspondents dropping anchor in India and the increase in their numbers is in itself an interesting account. It started with Reuters posting 22-year-old Henry Collins in India in 1865. The presence of Indian stories in foreign newspaper grew after a telegraph line was established between India and Europe. But a reporter’s daily dispatches were limited to 77 words only. Still, it was better than waiting for three months for the handwritten news to reach Europe. “Now, the world can’t have enough news of South Asia,” says Denyer.

The book that starts with Goodbye India by Robert Stimson (March 10, 1949) comprises a number of celebrated writings like Peter Kann’s Pulitzer-winning account of the fall of Dhaka in 1971, Barbara Crossette’s eyewitness report of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. It also has two Wall Street Journal articles by Daniel Pearl, who was killed by militants in 2002. “All the articles and photos are by the present and past members of the club,” says Elliott.