A critical issue that has been agitating the minds of our leadership across the globe has centered on determining the appropriate strategy to market our association in the current scenario. We have inherent strengths in the philosophy and credible results to demonstrate our contribution in serving our communities. Primarily labeled as the largest service club organization with add on benefits of leadership development and global reach to be able to impact international understanding in a diverse world, we have tried and tested various strategies, sometimes even aimed at specific market segments like baby boomers. Yet, there are challenges to any ...  Read More

Wear your words. Many of us wear T-shirts that advertise brand names. Why not try something different and wear one that conveys a positive social message? Perhaps “Stop HIV/AIDS” or “We are all one human race.” Wear it, live it, and speak out with style. (Millennium Development #6: Combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases.) Maybe sell these T-shirts as a fund raising campaign. Celebrate motherhood around the world. Next Mother’s Day, surprise your mom with a fair-trade gift. Many typical gifts, including chocolate, coffee, and flowers often come from regions where women are exploited ...  Read More

Sight First program in Eastern India, MD 322, is administered through a network of 66 eye hospitals run by various lions clubs. More than 80000 cataract surgeries are conducted each year at these hospitals. In order to facilitate exchange of information and learn from the success stories of each other, Sight First Conclave is an annual feature in this MD. Each unit is represented by three individuals at the conclave: hospital chairperson, manager and resident medical practitioner. This year the MD 322 SF conclave was held on 6th November at Durgapur. Some of the lions hospitals are developing as comprehensive eye ...  Read More

There still is a serious controversy about the number of HIV affected people in India. Whether India has the highest or is the second highest in the world is of little interest to us. That India is right at the top and that the youths suffer most is a serious matter of concern. According to statistics, 40% of those affected are below 35 years. 86% of the cases are transmitted through sex, and 67% is urban based. India’s 51% population is under 24 years of age. The newspapers screamed. “India had the highest number of HIV infected”. And yet, the ...  Read More

“To provide appropriate mobility for  all of God’s children in need”   Personal mobility is something that we often take for granted. Nature has blessed us with the engineering wonder of a human body that works so effectively, yet so "automatically". But there are some amongst us whose mobility gets restricted due to physical reasons. Accidents and some orthopedic challenges are the most common causes. In such cases, science has progressed enough to make available artificial limbs and mobility devices that may help in restoring normalcy in the life of the affected person. But there are so many individuals in different parts ...  Read More

Across the world, one of the major concerns of leadership is to keep political balances in place. Every decision must be politically correct, so it is said. That phrase sounds rather nice, or least harmful. But what it entails is rather worse than what Machiavelli could have dreamt of. Basically, in today’s world, it translates into: 1. Power must be retained at all costs; 2. Those loyal must continue to be rewarded; 3. Radical changes must be kept at bay; 4. Any contrary opinion must be challenged and suppressed; 5. Benchmarks must be established as per the potential of individuals promoted, not the best talent available; 6. Evaluations through statistics can always ...  Read More

I am reminded of a quotation that I read many years ago which I would like to share, especially with those aspiring for leadership positions: “Let’s dream. And learn to compete Let’s compete. And learn to achieve Let’s achieve. And learn to lead Yes, let’s do our country proud”. If one does not dream, one can achieve nothing. But to see one’s dream come into reality, one is required to go through a process of learning and preparing oneself for the responsibility for which one is aspiring through step by step achievements. At times we have seen some people are thrown into positions of ...  Read More

History tells us that whenever we enter a new century, lots of things change. If the 19th century is called a century of agricultural revolution, the 20th century may be called the century of industrial revolution. We entered the 21st century about 10 years ago and this century can be called the century of knowledge revolution. The fast changes in technology that are forthcoming over the years, have fully changed the way the world works. More and more, we are entering the age of paper less working and virtual offices. Most of the work is done electronically on the computer ...  Read More

We have often heard phrases like, “make a difference” or even “make an impact” .  At times, I wonder how common individuals like me can really make an impact. Participating in some local service programs can always be possible but making a lasting impression, redefining some social dynamics is a different ball game altogether. Does it even make sense to say that we could work towards such gigantic goals? The other day I was reading an article on significant moments in life. These are instances which could change lives, not only at a personal level but even for communities and nations ...  Read More

It is the prime duty of leadership to develop and implement strategies to build unity in our designs to serve, rather than look out for unanimity. Whereas opinion of various colors and hues is not only the acceptable, but rather the absolute desirable part of socio-political dynamics, we seem to be treating so called “unanimity” as the real goal. These two terms are not synonymous, and more often than not, they may even demand different mindsets. The views of the majority shall prevail and hopefully be recognized as the collective will. Having reached conclusions only after deliberations and discussions, the decisions ...  Read More