Lionism in India
 

Lionism reached India in 1956. Strangely enough, it was an intimate friendship among three Scout officers that became instrumental in introducing Lionism in India. 

Though Lionism in India started in February 1956, long before that date, Lion Robert Williams, an American Army Officer visited India. He being a Scout came in contact with the Scouts of Bombay towards the end of the Second World War. His contact through Scouting was first with a Scout, Troop which was run by a Scouter Late Noshir K. J. Khan (who became a Lion later). Whilst on that mission only Scouting and Camping was talked about, discussed and practised, a real friendship formed between the trio, which ultimately, after another stage in scouting, brought Lionism to India eventually. Correspondence continued at that level between Lion Robert Williams of Saxton U.S.A. and Late Noshir K. J. Khan. 

A scout jamboree was to be held in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Robert Williams agreed to host two scouts from India as his guests. They were Comdr. Kaiki B. Godrej and Noshir Pundole. The old friendship of Noshir K. J. Khan played its part. After the Jamboree, Robert Williams invited Comdr. Godrej and Noshir Pundole to attend a meeting of the local Lions Club at Saxton of which he was a member. This was the beginning, Scouting and Lionism coming in close contact. 

Thereafter once again Noshir Khan took up the issue and corresponded with Lion Robert Williams, who, in turn corresponded with Lions International, as a result of which in 1956 Lions International to start Lionism in India sent Lion Shafee A. Mansour, International Delegate Overseas. He contacted Noshir K. J. Khan, and Comdr. Kaiki Godrej. Noshir Khan had gathered 20 prospective members in Bombay, with whom the first Lions Club in India was formed in Bombay on February 3, 1956. Lion Noshir Pundole became the first President. 

Similarly Comdr. Godrej had gathered 20 prospective members in Delhi, with whom the second Lions Club in India was formed on February 4, 1956. It is a history recorded in purple and gold that the far flung Lions Club of Saxton was the sponsor of these premier Lions Clubs in India. At the time of the Charter, both these Clubs were organized entirely with the initiative of Comdr. Kaiki B. Godrej, who was presented charter on February II, 1956 and the Lions Club of Bombay (Host) organized entirely by Noshir Khan was presented the charter on February 14, 1956. 

In 1973 yet another re-organisation became necessary and accordingly the Multiple District 304, was replaced by 321,322,323, & 324 with subdivisions as under : 

• M.D. 321 Dist. 321 A & 321 B
• M.D. 322 Dist. 322 A 322 B & 322 C
• M.D. 323 Dist. 323 A 323 B 323 C & 323 D
• M.D. 324 Dist. 324 A 324 B 324 C 324 D & 324 E 
  

The continued growth of Lionism in India assumed such dimensions that today we have over 3,000 Clubs with a membership of over 1,50,000. Though India started as 62nd entrant in LIONISM, today it stands 2nd in membership. 

At present, the four Multiples are divided into 51 Sub Districts as under : 

• M.D. 321 - Dist. 321 - A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, D, E & F (10 Districts)
• M.D. 322 - Dist. 322 - A, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, D, E & F (9 Districts)
• M.D. 323 - Dist. 323 - A1, A2, A3, B, C, D1, D2, E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2, H & J (15 District)
• M.D. 324 - Dist. 324 - A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, B4, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, & E2 
  

Lions of India can just be proud today, not only for its number which has reached the mark of nearly 1,47,522 Lions in about 5,287 Clubs, but also for the most humanitarian services rendered, reckoned in rupees which would come to several crores not only in the total period, but year after year not considering the human sacrifice of men, money and material on the part of Lions themselves. 

History and Growth of Lionism in India

The Lions movement took birth in India in the year 1956. An American Scouts officer Lion Robert Williams of Lions Club of Saxton, U.S.A.., And three Scouts Officers from India, Mr. Noshir K.L. Khan, Comr, kaiki B. Godrej and Noshir K.Pundole, organized the first two Lions Clubs in India- Lions Club of Bombay and Lions Club of Delhi. Lions Club of Bombay (now Mumbai) was inaugurated on 3rd February 1956 and Chartered on 15th February 1956. Lions Club of Delhi was inaugurated on 11th February 1956 and chartered on 14th February 1956. Lion Club of Saxton U.S.A sponsored both the Clubs. All the three Lions, the Late Lion Noshir K.L.Khan, the Late Lion Kaiki B. Godrej and Lion Noshir N.Pundole to be the first District Governor of combined District 304, comprising of India, Burma and Ceylon from 1956 to 1959. India should be and is proud of its contribution of Lionism. A Country which started as the 68th entrant in Lionism stands second numerically, supported by significant contribution to humanitarian work second to none in the world. 

India has so far given 13 International directors in the persons of Lion Noshir N.Pundole. Lion Rohit C.Mehta, Lion Bihari Agarwal, Lion Premchand R.Bafna, Lion Ashok Mehta, Lion P.S.Ranganathan, Lion Sushiel Agarwal and Lion Mohanlal Tulsian. Lion Kamlesh Jain, Lion G.Ramaswamy. Lion Naresh Agarwal, Lion M. Natarajan, Lion Prem Lahoty, Lion Parveen chhajed and presently Lion K.M.Goyal & Lion C.Vara Prasad. The Lions in India can be proud that an Indian, Lion Rohit C, Mehta has adorned the highest office as Lion International President in 1992-93. The District 304 was redistricted in later year, starting from 1959-60 till 1973-74, 11 districts were formed viz 304-N1, 304-N2, 304-E1, 304-E2, 304-W1, 304-W2, 304-W3, 304-S1, 304-S2, and 304 Central. 

In 1973-74, the eleven districts were completely reorganized in to Multiple District 321,322,323, and 324 comprising of thirteen Sub Districts. At the end of the year 2004-2005 we had 4 multiple Districts comprising of 63 Sub Districts.