‘We Serve’! Lions Club Balmatta and Bajal host ‘Zone Social’
Mangaluru: With the motto “We Serve”, Lions Clubs worldwide has a mission to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs. Lions Clubs International (LCI) is an international secular, non-political service organization founded by Melvin Jones in 1917. As of April 2015, it had over 46,000 local clubs and more than 1.4 million members in over 200 countries around the world, and among them being these two local clubs namely Lions of Mangaluru-Balmatta; and Lions Club of Mangaluru-Bajal and these two clubs have been very active in their community projects, which include sight conservation, hearing and speech conservation, diabetes awareness, youth outreach, international relations, environmental issues, and many other programs.
The stated purposes of Lions Clubs International are: to Organize, charter and supervise service clubs to be known as Lions clubs; to Coordinate the activities and standardize the administration of Lions clubs; to Create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world; to Promote the principles of good government and good citizenship; to Take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community; to Unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding; to Provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members; to Encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors. And both these clubs with their dynamic and energetic presidents, board members and active members have achieved most of the purposes of Lions Club International. Kudos and compliments to Lions Club-Balmatta and Lions Club-Bajal. A job well was done!
Not only the members of these Lions Clubs put their heart and soul in organizing community projects, they also enjoy a social life among themselves by hosting “Zone Social”, where representatives of the clubs meet and interact with each other, and share their Club stories and activities. So as part of the Lions Club International tradition, Lions Club of Mangaluru-Balmatta, under the able leadership of President-Ln Noel FC Pinto; and Lions Club of Mangaluru-Bajal under the able leadership of President- Ln Augustine D’souza hosted a “Zone Social” on Tuesday, 10 January 2017 at NJ Sushila Niketan, Near City Hospital, Kadri, Mangaluru. A large gathering graced the occasion where everyone had a nice social time filled with fun and frolic, culminating with a Housie Housie game, fellowship and sumptuous dinner.
The chief guest of the “Zone Social” , Zone Chairperson Ln Kavitha Palke was flanked on the dais by LC of Mangaluru-Balmatta president Ln mjf Noel FC Pinto; LC of Mangaluru-Bajal president Ln Augustine D’Souza; LC of Mangaluru-Kudla president Ln Sunil Kumar; LC of Mangaluru-Cauvery president Ln Shakila Raj; LC of Mangaluru-Balmatta secretary Ln Linet D’Souza; and LC of Mangaluru-Bajal secretary Ln Preetham Kunder. The programme began with reciting the Lions Club International prayer, followed by salute/pledge to the National Flag.
Welcoming the audience, Ln Noel Pinto said ” I feel proud to lead my club comprising of active and good members who are always willing to work towards a good cause and making a difference in the society. Friendship and confidence can develop a good and peaceful atmosphere. I am happy to note my club members are very talented, dedicated and helpful- and with such qualities, we should all come up with unique ideas during our meetings, thereby attract youngsters and talented people to Lionism where the growth is necessary. If we make up our mind, we can do it”.
With the introduction of Chief guest, Ln Kavitha Palke delivered by Ln Dr Uday Kumar, addressing the gathering Ln Kavith Palke said, ” I feel very proud to say that your clubs are doing extremely good in your community projects. Following our motto, “We Serve”, it all starts with service. Service has been the bedrock of our association since the beginning. It is the essence of who we are and what we do best. And that service radiates outward from our clubs. Service is what we do, and who we are. It defines us as a revered, highly respected institution. The world is changing. We must change with it if we hope to keep pace and continue to make a difference. We should try to improve and bring change in the society, we need to produce better trained and more qualified leaders, provide increased and more effective service activities, have sustained membership growth and provide a more rewarding experience for members.”.
Delivering the club activities report, Lions Club of Mangaluru-Balmatta secretary Ln Linet D’Souza said, ” Installation ceremony of President Ln Noel FC. Pinto and his office bearers were held on 30th June 2016 for the Centennial Lionistic Year 2016 – 2017 at Lions Seva Mandir, Kadri by Ln Ronald Issac Gomes MJF. With the strength of 30 club members, we had conducted various service activities from July 2016 till date-Like on August 9th, observed Kargil victory day. A collage presentation was prepared and delivered; on Independence Day organized at Calvery School-Nanthoor, traditional dressing competition at club level and prizes were distributed; celebrated Vanamahotsava Day in Calvery School by planting couple of plants in the school premises; Organ donation awareness talk was conducted by Dr Norman Mendonca, ophthalmologist from Fr Muller’s College; club participated in Region level Youth Program of Self Employment Opportunities held in August”
“Our club organized a school picnic for Calvery school children to Bajpe at President Noel’s Farmhouse. All expenses were looked after our club and round table members; celebrated Children’s Day at St. Joseph School, Kankanady, conducted a drawing competition for children distributing prizes and sweets-also contributed some amount for the school’s annual day celebration; celebrated Teacher’s day by honoring a 92 year old teacher at Paschim Rehab. We also conducted a service activity in Paschim Rehab and provided lunch to all the inmates and spent a day with them. Some individuals also donated some amount for the above organization; Donated some amount for repair of toilets, mid-day meals, breakfasts to orphanage, St. Vincent D Paul Society, Snehalaya Charitable Trust, Rachna organization and various homes for aged-also donated towards festival like Dassara, parish feast and various other festivals. This year we have added Congress whip Ivan D’Souza MLC has an honorary member to our club” added Ln Linet.
During the occasion felicitation was done Region Chairperson Ln mjf Prashanth Pai, and Ln mjf Ronald Gomes (chief coordinator of Lions district celebrations and events). The vote of thanks was proposed by Ln Simon Lobo, 1-VP of LC of Mangaluru-Balmatta.
