Look closely at a woven fabric and you begin to see where its strength comes from—not from any single strand, but from the way the warp and weft come together, each adding tension and colour, held together over time. That same principle is visible in Lions’ CSR partnerships across India. Corporate resources bring scale. Knowledge built over decades of service brings direction. Volunteer commitment supplies the hands-on effort that turns intent into action.
What these partnerships set in motion continues to shape lives over time: a cancer ward in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where treatment continues year after year, supported by equipment chosen to last; government schools in Ernakulam district, Kerala, where access to clean drinking water no longer depends on the season; a centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh where women have the space to grow, earn and flourish. In each case, the pattern is similar: local Lions identify the need, partners step in with support that fits the task, and the work moves forward with care and accountability.
What sets these collaborations apart is their focus on continuity. Across districts and causes—healthcare, education, hunger relief, environmental work—the emphasis remains the same: understand the need clearly, apply resources responsibly, and stay engaged long enough for the change to hold. The stories that follow trace this work as it unfolds across communities, through partnerships woven with patience and meant to last.
MD 316: Care That Grows with Need
A family arrives at the Lions Cancer & General Hospital in Visakhapatnam from rural Odisha, carrying test results that confirm their worst fears. They find not just specialist cancer care, but a system designed around the full range of what they will need—diagnostics, surgery, pain management, nutrition counselling, and palliative support. Here, cancer is not treated in isolation. The financial strain, physical complications, and emotional weight that accompany it are acknowledged and addressed as part of care.
What allows this to happen is the way different strands of support have come together over nearly three decades. The hospital opened in 1996 as a dedicated cancer facility. Since then, CSR partnerships—from foundations, corporates, public sector institutions, and individual philanthropists—have enabled it to expand into comprehensive care. Infrastructure upgrades made room for new departments. Equipment donations introduced advanced treatment capabilities. Renewable energy installations reduced operational costs, freeing resources for patient care. Each contribution built on the last, strengthening an institution that now serves around 30 outpatients each day and completes nearly 60 surgeries a month.
More than 35,000 cancer patients have been treated here, many travelling from Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha when local options fall short. The hospital operates round the clock because illness does not follow business hours. During the pandemic, it adapted quickly, conducting vaccination drives that reached close to 25,000 people. Today, a major HPV vaccination program is underway—helping prevent cervical cancer before it begins—supported through CSR contributions from Visakhapatnam Port Trust.
Under the leadership of Managing Trustee PDG Prof. V. Uma Maheswara Rao, the hospital reflects what sustained partnership makes possible: not just a facility that endures, but one that grows more responsive to community health needs over time.
CSR Partners
• LIC Golden Jubilee Foundation
• Laurus Charitable Trust
• Devi Sea Foods CSR Foundation
• Visakhapatnam Port Trust
• L&T Geo Structure Ltd.
• Hindustan Shipyard Ltd.
• Nekkanti Sea Foods
• Daspalla Hostels Pvt. Ltd.
• Sravan Shipping Services
• Steel City Securities Ltd.
• Individual philanthropists
Donations to the Trust are exempt under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The hospital is registered with the Government of India to undertake CSR activities.
MD 318: Homes, Water, and the Work of Stability
For many families, housing insecurity is not a temporary inconvenience. It shapes daily decisions—where children study, how illness is managed, and whether work can be pursued with stability. In parts of Kerala, this uncertainty has lingered for years, even among families who own small parcels of land but lack the means to build a safe, permanent home.
Snehaveedu, a CSR-supported housing initiative by District 318C, addresses this gap with clear purpose. In partnership with the K. Chittilappilly Foundation, Kochi, the district has committed ₹3 crore towards the construction of permanent homes for underprivileged families across Ernakulam, Idukki, and Alappuzha districts.
Under the project, financial assistance of ₹3 lakh is being provided to each family that owns five cents of land or less and lacks access to secure housing. Each house is modest in size—up to 450 square feet—but designed to meet essential needs with dignity. These clear eligibility parameters ensure the support reaches the most vulnerable sections of society.
While the initial commitment covers 100 houses, the project has the flexibility to scale. Based on progress and resource availability, District 318C plans to extend the initiative to 200 homes. Construction has begun on 55 houses, with completion planned for February 2026. Work on the remaining homes will follow, with the district aiming to complete the project by May 2026.
Beyond walls and roofs, Snehaveedu offers families stability. A fixed address supports school attendance, access to healthcare, and the ability to plan for the future. In this sense, each home becomes a foundation for dignity and opportunity.
Beyond the awards, the evening also made space for dialogue. A panel discussion on ‘The Collective Power of Cooperatives and SHGs as Engines of Inclusive Growth,’ moderated by veteran journalist Mugdha Kalra, brought together a diverse group of experienced voices, including Anandi Agarwal, Chairperson, Women Entrepreneur Cell – Indian Industries Association; Ganesh Pandey, Convener, Shramik Bharti; Dr. Kshitij Aasthi, Convener – Centre for Public Policy, IIM Lucknow; Jyotsna Kaur Habibullah, CEO, Lucknow Farmers Market; and Punith Asthana, Founder, India Dreams Foundation.
The discussion carried particular relevance in 2025, a year declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Cooperatives, underscoring the role of cooperative models in advancing inclusive growth, social equity, and sustainable development. The panellists examined how self-help groups and cooperatives continue to shape livelihoods—particularly for women in rural and marginalised communities.
They spoke candidly about scale, access, policy gaps, and the need to move towards a “Cooperative 2.0” model that responds to present-day realities, including urban poverty and market linkages.
The evening concluded with acknowledgements—of partnerships, of trust, and of collective effort. In his vote of thanks, PDG Dr. Manoj Ruhela underlined what the event had quietly demonstrated: that when platforms listen carefully, and recognition is given thoughtfully, service finds its rightful place in public view.
If Lucknow set the tone for Season Two, Visakhapatnam expanded the canvas. Held in the city known as the Jewel of the East Coast, the second zonal event of the We Serve India Awards 2025 brought together changemakers from Southern and Western India, reflecting how shared social priorities take distinct forms across regions.
The evening opened with characteristic Andhra warmth and hospitality. Welcoming the large gathering, PID Vijay Kumar Raju shone a light on the deeper purpose of the event. “This evening is not just an awards ceremony,” he said. “It is a celebration of service, compassion and courage. True nation-building happens when we celebrate those who serve selflessly and inspire others to do the same.”
Echoing this sentiment, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivas Varma, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel, Government of India, spoke about nation-building rooted in community-led action and grounded solutions. Reflecting on the importance of grassroots effort, he remarked, “True nation-building blooms from compassion and innovation, right here on the ground.”
From reflections on nation-building, the focus moved to climate action at the community level. A panel discussion titled ‘Roots of Resilience: Community-Driven Climate Action,’ drew on perspectives shaped by decades of on-ground experience, spanning environmental action, policy, finance, academia, and grassroots enterprise. The panel featured Mr. Ganapathy Vadlamani, Co-Founder, GreenVision; Shri G. Bala Subramanyam, Professor, Administrative Staff College of India and former SE, APPCB; Dr. Y. Somu Naidu, District Development Manager, NABARD, Kakinada; Lion Prof. V.S.R.K. Prasad, Emeritus Professor, Andhra University; and Ms. Latha Pudi, Founder, Cocoabuzzz.
Speakers drew on field experience to highlight how climate action becomes more effective when communities are active participants rather than passive beneficiaries. Ganapathy Vadlamani emphasised the need for collective ownership in climate action. “Individual efforts are tremendous,” he observed, “but without co-ownership written into the agenda, we remain scattered. Tie the collective—only then will we be tight.”
Latha Pudi shared a quietly powerful account from the cocoa fields, illustrating how sustainability and livelihoods can move together. “Even illiterate women grasped complex value-addition skills in weeks,” she said. “We turned a four-month crop into year-round livelihoods, planted over 27,000 trees and shrubs for carbon capture, and are now five kilometres from a tribal university ready to incubate green jobs for the next generation.”
Looking ahead, Prof. V.S.R.K. Prasad underscored the importance of early intervention. “Take the awareness to schools,” he urged. “If we sensitise the youth early, they can change the system—starting with a simple war cry: ban single-use plastic and make its collection every citizen’s responsibility.”
Awards for the South and West Zones were presented in the presence of distinguished guests, including Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivas Varma, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel; Mr. Palla Srinivas Rao, Andhra Pradesh State President of the Telugu Desam Party; Shri Vishnu Kumar Raju, MLA, Visakhapatnam; and Smt. Gouthu Sireesha, MLA, Palasa, along with senior Lions leaders. Their presence reflected the collaborative spirit that underpins the initiative.
Across the five categories, the South and West Zone honourees reflected the diversity of approaches shaping grassroots change—from expanding access to essential health services and linking learning with opportunity, to locally grounded environmental responses and technology-enabled solutions designed to address social challenges.
Inclusive
Healthcare &
Accessibility
Winners:
West Zone
Dr. Ashish R. Satav
South Zone
Alladi Prabhakar
Runners-up:
West Zone
Sujata Ravindra Sugwekar
South Zone
Leo Akash Raj
Innovation in Education Learning & Skill Development
Winners:
West Zone
Gene Derrick D’Silva
South Zone
M.A. Saleem
Runners-up:
West Zone
Nitesh Bhardwaj
South Zone
Raghu Narasingasa Hubbali
Innovation in Environmental Sustainability
Winners:
West Zone
Sarita Subramaniam
South Zone
Sneha Sahi
Runners-up:
West Zone
Ashish Milind Joshi
South Zone
Mavuram Mallikarjun Reddy
Tech-led
Social
Innovation
Winners:
West Zone
Akshay Ridlan
South Zone
Ashok Gorre
Runners-up:
West Zone
Dr. Rajul Patkar
South Zone
Sarang K Bobade
Women-led
Social
Innovation
Winners:
West Zone
Mangal Arun Shah
South Zone
Dr. Geeta Malhotra
Runners-up:
West Zone
Dr. Ruma Bhargava
South Zone
Lakshmi Ramamurthy
Inclusive Healthcare & Accessibility
Winners:
West Zone
Dr. Ashish R. Satav
South Zone
Alladi Prabhakar
Runners-up:
West Zone
Sujata Ravindra Sugwekar
South Zone
Leo Akash Raj
Innovation in Education Learning & Skill Development
Winners:
West Zone
Gene Derrick D’Silva
South Zone
M.A. Saleem
Runners-up:
West Zone
Nitesh Bhardwaj
South Zone
Raghu Narasingasa Hubbali
Innovation in Environmental Sustainability
Winners:
West Zone
Sarita Subramaniam
South Zone
Sneha Sahi
Runners-up:
West Zone
Ashish Milind Joshi
South Zone
Mavuram Mallikarjun Reddy
Tech-led Social Innovation
Winners:
West Zone
Akshay Ridlan
South Zone
Ashok Gorre
Runners-up:
West Zone
Dr. Rajul Patkar
South Zone
Sarang K Bobade
Women-led Social Innovation
Winners:
West Zone
Mangal Arun Shah
South Zone
Dr. Geeta Malhotra
Runners-up:
West Zone
Dr. Ruma Bhargava
South Zone
Lakshmi Ramamurthy
“What an inspiring evening this has been,” said International Director Suresh Babu, as he brought the event to a close. Reflecting on the changemakers recognised across regions, he noted that their work underscored the importance of service, empathy, and partnership in shaping a more inclusive India. He also acknowledged the collaboration with Forbes India and Network18, and the wider community of partners and supporters who continue to strengthen the Lions’ mission of service. “Together we serve better, we serve wider and we serve India.”
