LIONS CLUB VISAKHAPATNAM - A    brief history

Lions club of Visakhapatnam   is a pioneer service organization in Visakhapatnam   working for the  welfare of the  community   since  1958. Under  the  leadership  of the then  famous  Vice• chancellor   of Andhra  University,   Dr.V.S.Krishna, prominent   and highly  respected  citizens   from different professions  in  Visakhapatnam   joined  hands to  create  a wonderful  social   service  club, Lions club Visakhapatnarn.   Ever since its inauguration    in 1958, the club is  doing   humane  service to the poor and needy in the community

Lions club Visakhapatnam   produced   many leaders to lead lionistic   service activities    not only   in Andhra Pradesh but also in South India. Great  leaders   like  Dr.K.V.Gopala     Swamy  ,  former Registrar   of  Andhra   University,    Dr.S.S.Reddy      former    Professor   of  Surgery   and   renowned Surgeon in  Andhra  Pradesh,  D.V.Subba   Rao former  President  of Bar Council of India, Ex  Mayor of  Visakhapatnam   City  and  Former  Vice-  chairman    of  Visakhapatnam    Urban   Development Authority,   Lion A.S.Raja    ,  a  prominent   businessman,      Lion Prof.N.V.N.Durgaprasad       Rao,     a  well known   Academician   of  National    and  International   repute  and Lion D.S.P.Varma  , CEO  of Real Estate   Company served lionism  as District  Governors.

The present membership strength is 243.  Legal experts, judges and prominent   business persons are the proud members of Lions club Visakhapatnam.

Lions   club Visakhapatnam    was sponsored   by Lions Club   Hyderabad   in   1958.    Lions   club Visakhapatnam   in turn  sponsored    Lions   Club  Vizianagaram    ,  Lions    club  Anakapalli      ,  Lions   club Visakhapatnam   South  ,  Lions club  Srikakulam   ,  Lions    club  Visakhapatnam     North  ,   Lions    club Visakhapatnam    Waltair,    Lions Club Bheemli    ,  Lions  Club Chittivalasa    , Lions club Narasapur,      Lions Club Palkol,  Lions club Anandapuram    and  Lions club Srikakulam  Central.

Ever since its inauguration   in 1958, the club is doing humane  service to the poor  and the needy through  free  medical  camps, Eye Surgery camps (  every year not less than  500 cataract surgeries),  Polio camps, Family planning  camps, ENT camps, Cardiac surgery  camps and Veterinary  camps etc. These medical services are extended   not only to the urban poor but also to rural areas of Visakhapatnam   District.  The club is also involved in large scale tree plantation programmes and played a major role in greenery development   in Visakhapatnam   City. In case of Natural calamities, Lions club Visakhapatnam   stands by the victims in extending  temporary relief  immediately   and rehabilitation    afterwards.

In addition to the above mentioned   periodical service   activities, Lions club Visakhapatnam   has taken up many permanent   service projects.

In 1978, the club started a special school for the hearing-impaired children in Santhi Ashram, which was inaugurated   by the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Dr.Marri   Chenna Reddy. The school provided   livelihood   through jobs for several students.  The school is recognized by the State and the Central Governments and is running well.
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Impressed by the service activities   of the  club,  Government   of  Andhra  Pradesh  allotted   

900 Sq.Yards of land to Lions Club of Visakhapatnam  in 1975 through  a  deed of conveyance.  
 

A four storied  multi-purpose community center was built  in this site  in due course and now the  

Lions Club building is a land mark of service in Visakhapatnam  City.

Lions club Visakhapatnam   constructed   several Bus Passenger shelters for  the  convenience   of local commuters  in the city.

In Ramakrishna Beach, Lions club of Visakhapatnam constructed   a  park for  Children,  which  was inaugurated  by the then  Prime Minister  of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi.

Lions club  Visakhapatnam   played  major  role  in the  construction     of  artificial   limb  centre    in Government  King George Hospital. The club donated  several needy items  on different occasions to the  Government     King Gorge  Hospital  and Government   Victoria  hospital  for  women.  Lions club Visakhapatnam  constructed   class rooms for  Ramakrishna  Mission  School in Maharanipeta, Visakhapatnam.

Lions club Visakhapatnam   is granting  Scholarships  amounting   to  lakhs of  Rupees to  the  poor and meritorious   students  at various  levels to  pursue  their  education.   It also extends  medical support  to the poor and needy through  its charitable  trust.