Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization, with a presence in over 200 countries and a membership of 1.4 million. For more than a century, it has built a reputation as a people-powered force for humanitarian service. The scale is unmatched: local clubs run independently yet are tied together by a shared mission - We Serve.
India is one of Lions International’s most active landscapes. With nearly 8,500 clubs across all states and union territories, and close to 290,000 members, the organization has woven itself into the social fabric of the country. What sets the Indian network apart is its breadth of community infrastructure and direct service.
The numbers tell their own story. Lions India runs 175 eye hospitals, 50 blood banks, 55 dialysis centres, more than 200 schools, and countless community parks. Beyond institutions, the work extends to feeding programs for those at the bottom of the pyramid, vaccination drives, scholarships, and disaster relief. In financial terms, Lions service projects in India add up to more than ₹400 crore each year; a scale that makes it one of the largest voluntary movements in the country.
The Lions’ areas of focus, both globally and in India, are rooted in pressing community needs. Their work in vision care aims to prevent avoidable blindness and restore sight, while diabetes awareness and intervention address one of the fastest-growing health challenges. In healthcare and wellness, Lions support everything from dialysis centres to vaccination programs. When disasters strike, their network mobilizes quickly to provide relief and rehabilitation. Environmental initiatives include afforestation, clean water access, and sustainability projects, while programs dedicated to women and youth empowerment focus on leadership, education, and mentorship, ensuring long-term impact on future generations.
Membership is made up of individuals who are leaders in their own right such as professionals, entrepreneurs, and community builders who dedicate time and resources to causes larger than themselves. What unites them is not only the desire to give back but also the belief that collective action can reshape communities.
Lions International’s global initiative, Mission 1.5, aims to grow the movement to 1.5 million members by 2027. India, with its scale and tradition of service, will be central to achieving that target. The real measure of success, however, will not be in numbers alone but in how the organization continues to adapt to emerging challenges, from public health to climate change, while staying rooted in its century-old promise: We Serve.
The pages slugged ‘Brand Connect’ are equivalent to advertisements and are not written and produced by Forbes India journalists.
First Published: Sep 20, 2025, 17:16
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