By Vioet  Pereira, Team Mangalorean

Mangalore : Lions Club International, District 317D  welcomed the Past International President of the Lions Clubs International, Lion Mahendra Amarasuriya, at Hotel Ocean Pearl here on August 10.

Addressing the mediapersons  Ln Mahendra said that the Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with exceptional achievements and number of projects.  The Lions Clubs International, was founded in the United States on June 7, 1917 by Melvin Jones with the motto "We Serve". Lions Clubs International (LCI) is a secular service organization with 46,075 clubs and more than 13.50 lakh members in 206 countries around the world.

Lions Clubs support sight programs and services, including vision screenings, eye banks and eyeglass recycling. Lions also provide eye care services to those at risk of losing their sight, and raise funds through campaigns like Sight First and Campaign Sight First II.  Lions are doing community volunteer work, helping, leading, planning and supporting. Because we are  local, we can serve the unique needs of the communities we live in. And because we are global, we can address challenges that go beyond borders, he said.

He further stated that by providing health programs that focus on hearing loss,  supporting efforts in controlling and preventing diabetes, Lions volunteers are working to improve the health of children and adults around the world.  It is also providing the youth leadership experiences  and volunteer opportunities through Leo Clubs. 

He also praised the service of  Lions Clubs in India, in delivering the service to communities in rural areas. Even the government has failed to elevate the poverty in India, but the Lions Clubs have done a wonderful job in providing basic amenities in the rural areas.  The Lions Club members are very much involved in Lionism. 

Chairperson of Lions Club M G Melanta MJF, District Governor M B Sadashiv and MJF Airen were also present.