Leonine Parsis
Community members have played a significant role in bringing the Lionism to India and in continuing the spirit of giving
While on a scouting jamboree in Pennsylvania, USA where Williams agreed to host two scouts from India as his guests — Godrej and Noshir Pundole, two Parsis were invited to attend a Lions’ meeting at Saxton, where Williams was a member. While presenting Williams with an Indian scout turban, Pundole had said: "It would be a great day for India when the Lions movement is ushered in our country.” A visit by International Delegate Overseas, Shafeec Mansour followed, when Khan gathered 20 prospective members in Bombay and Godrej got together the same number in Delhi, thereby lead to the formation of the first Clubs, within a day of each other, in February 1956.
Pundole became the first president of the Bombay Club. The write-up notes that a nucleus was formed, with "Lions Noshir and Sorab Khan, Minoo Engineer, Jamshed Aga and Pundole, to propagate the spread of the movement in western India,” with Godrej and others taking on the onus of spreading Lionism in the north.
A year later, the formation of District 304 covering India, Burma and Ceylon saw Pundole being installed as the First District Governor and Noshir Khan as the First District Cabinet Secretary. Godrej was appointed Second District Cabinet Secretary. The write-up notes that the stalwarts, along with District Public Relations Officer Engineer and District Treasurer Jehangir Surti met each morning at Bombelli’s Café "and planned the growth of Lionism, leading to the formation of 45 Clubs in three years, with a total of over 2,000 members. The Indian Lion, a publication of District 304 won an award at an international convention in Chicago in the very first year of its publication, notes the write-up.
Noshir Pundole, first District Governor
Above: Capt Percy Master (left) and Dr Neville Mehta
On the international stage
In 1960-61Pundole was asked to become the Asian Secretary, while Engineer and Lion Rusi Gimi who was working in the eastern part of the country became part time representatives of the international body. Items bearing the Lions emblem were, for the first time, manufactured locally starting 1967-68. "Engineer (who was later honored with the Ambassador of Goodwill Award) made the Secretariat into a distribution center for almost half the world,” notes the write-up.
"Parsis are held in high esteem in Lionism in India,” notes Lion Capt Percy Master of the Byculla Club. They have not only held senior posts but also contributed monetarily and actively in various projects, he informs Parsiana on November 15, 2017. Giving examples, he states that in the past 60 years Parsis have taken active role in eradication of polio and kidney problems by providing a free dialysis centre. "They have generously donated sensitive equipment in government hospitals and established ophthalmic departments, burn centers and dialysis centers in various places in the city. "It would be fair to say that Lions in India would not have prospered but for the Parsis’ active involvement right from establishing the first Lions Club,” he ends. Going ahead, as Lionism enters its second century globally, the goal of the India centers is to concentrate on care for victims of pediatric cancer, diabetes and heart diseases by holding camps and medical assistance.
Mehta’s office provided Parsiana a partial list of community members who have served as district governors in Bombay, Surat, Secunderabad and Poona: Armaity Cooper (2016-17), Daara Patel (2008-09), Mehta (2003-04), Jamshed Dotivala (2003-04), Keki Dalal (2005-06), Feroze Daroga (1992-93), Jimmy Patalwala (1983-84), Pat Nalladaru (1982-83), Homi Tarapore (1981-82), Meher Anklesaria (1978-79), Ronnie Mistry (1976-77), Aga (1963-64), Sorab (1961-62), and Pundole (1956-59).
Lions International has "changed lives in their communities and around the world. In celebration of the final year of our Centennial Service Challenge, Lions everywhere are being challenged to serve over 100 million people,” notes their website. India is the second largest community with over 6,200 clubs and 2.28 lakh members. The country is the fastest growing community of Lions Clubs volunteers in the world, notes the website of Lions Club International (India).