India tops in Lions Club International membership

Aurangabad, Jan 6:

The Lions Clubs International, the world''s largest charitable organization, was dominated by the United States (US) in terms of membership. But now India has surpassed the US in terms of membership, topping the list.

The number of members of the Lions Club was announced on January 5. The country has achieved this success under the tenure of international director and chairman of the club''s membership committee, Dr Nawal Malu. While India was at the forefront of the social service, it has now achieved great success in terms of membership. The number of Lions Club members in India is 2.85 lakh while in the US it is 2.78 lakh. Japan is in third place. The Lions Club was founded in 1917 in Chicago and was established in India in 1956. Thirty years ago, the number of Lions Club members in the US was 7 lakh and in India, it was 50,000. India''s great leap in this regard today is commendable. Lions Club in India carries out many charitable activities like free cataract surgery of more than 2 lakh people, more than 100 blood banks and eye hospitals. With the addition of thousands of members, the service will now be able to reach more and more grassroots levels, said Dr Nawal Malu. Former president Naresh Agarwal, Ashok Mehta, joint international director J P Singh, V P Nandkumar, S Sampat along with all the counselling directors and district governors in India, have a lion''s share in this success, Malu said.

50,000 members in 6 months

"The challenge is to maintain the number of members, but at the same time, we have to achieve 3 lakh members. My term was coming to an end in June 2020. But due to the global crisis in Covid-19, this period was extended for one year. During this time we tried to reach more and more people. This is their success. Covid-19 created a situation where no one could guarantee for their life. It is a matter of great pride for us that 50,000 members joined us in the service of Lions in these 6 months" said, Dr Nawal Malu, international director, Lions Club.