History and Growth of Lionism in India

History and Growth of Lionism in India.

An American Army officer Lion Robert Williams came to India as a Scouts officer in February 1956 and came in contact with the Late Lion Noshir K.J.Khan , who was running a Scouts Troop as a Scouter and also with the then State Commissioner Comdr. Kaiki B.Godrej. This initial meeting , between the three Scouts officers resulted in friendship between them and correspondence started between Lion Robert Wiliams of Saxton,USA and Lion Noshir K.J.Khan.

In 1956 Mr. Noshir N.Pundole was deputed to an American Scout Jamboree held at Valley Forge Pennysilvania as leader of a groupof eight Souts and Comdr.Kaiki B Godrej followed him to the Scouts Jamboree in the capacity of Deputy Commissioner of All India Souts. Being and old friend of the Late Mr. Noshir K.J.Khan, Lion Robert Williams became a host to the natch of visiting Scouts under the change of Mr. Noshir N.Pundole and Commissioner Kaiki B.Godrej. It was as at ehe time, Mr. Noshir N. Pundole expressed a dream and a wish that it would ne nice to have the Lions Movement introduced India.

In 1956, When the International Association of Lions Culb seriously though to starting Lions International movement in Inda, Lion Shafeeque A Mansour, who was the Internationasl Delegate. Overseas of Lions International contacted Mr. N.K.J.Khan, Mr. N.Poundole and comdr. Kaiki B.Godrej simultaneously. Lion Mansour later made visit to India to Voimbay and Delhi. It is but natural that the very distinct Lions Club of Saxan, to which Lion Robert Williams belonged , sponsored these two

Clubs established first in India. Whilst Lions Club of Bombay was Inaugurated first, Lion Club of Delhi was Chartered first, Both being sponsored by Lion Club of Saxton RA.

Whilst all the three Lions the late Noshir K.J.Khan, the late Lion Kaiki B.Godrej and Lion Noshir N.Pundole can be said to be founding father of Lionism in India , it fell to the fortunate lot of Lion Noshir N.Pundole to be the fortunate lot of Lion Noshir N.Pundole to be the first District Governor of Combined District Governor of Combined District 304, comprising India, Burma and Ceylon, from 1956 to 1959. India should be and is proud of its contribution to Lionism . A country which started as the 68^th entrant in lionism stands second numerically supported byu significant contribution to humanitarian work second to none in the world.