Creating Inspired Leaders
When an extraordinary Lion departs, their influence continues through every life they touched. This was clearly visible with the passing of PMCC Sanjay Sahu on April 26, 2025. In an unprecedented and spontaneous district-wide tribute, nearly every Lions Club of District 322C2 united for a remarkable week of service from May 5-11, 2025.
From bustling hospital corridors to quiet orphanages, from roadside stands offering cool relief to sacred cow shelters, Lions transformed grief into action, to honour a man whose life embodied the very essence of service.
As the first-ever Lead Donor to Lions Clubs International Foundation from MD 322, PMCC Sanjay Sahu didn’t just support the cause—he became its living example. His actions spoke louder than any speech, inspiring hundreds of Lions to roll up their sleeves and serve. This was powerfully evident in the multifarious activities that unfolded across the district in his memory.
Bolangir Lions Club partnered with Sahayog Foundation to serve over 500 patients and attendants at the District Hospital, while Burla Pragati Lions Club brought fresh fruits to 47 cancer patients at VIMSAR, Burla. Rourkela Chhend Lions Club organized a blood donation camp, collecting 31 units of life-saving blood. Later, these same Lions brought smiles to children at Sarbhavautik Ashram, proving that giving comes in many forms.
Lions Clubs of Rourkela CT and Thuapali donated wheelchairs to people with disabilities.
Rourkela Panposh Leo Club shared watermelons and joy with 70 children at Sarbhavautik Anath Sishu Ashram, while Kadobahal Jharapali Lions Club donated 51 kg of groceries to Sri Krishna Orphanage, benefitting 160 children. Rourkela Panposh Lions Club nourished minds and bodies with Annamrit for 90 students and 15 teachers at Vedvyas Gurukul Ashram, and Rourkela Pragati Lions Club brought stationery, fruits, juice, and biscuits to children in Birual village.
As temperatures soared, multiple clubs provided cooling relief. Godbhaga Royal Lions Club provided buttermilk and sharbat to over 1,000 people at Godbhaga Chowk.
Vedvyas Kohinoor Lions Club and Kohinoor Leo Club combined buttermilk distribution with Gau Sewa and umbrella distribution. Similarly, Kesinga Lions Club distributed lemon water at the Gopal Gausala, fed 150 cows and donated umbrellas.
Doubling the impact, Patnagarh Achievers Lions Club served buttermilk to 500 people and food to 450 people at the Sub-Divisional Hospital.
Hirakud Aluminium City Lions Club created a lasting tribute by installing a Voltas water cooler in the memory of PMCC Sanjay Sahu.
The largest outreach came through comprehensive Food for All initiatives. Titilagarh Lions Club led the charge, serving over 3,000 individuals across various public and spiritual locations. Lions Clubs of Sambalpur Central and Sambalpur Silks spread their food distribution efforts across multiple locations, with the latter also providing food coupons and fruits to underprivileged communities.
In addition to food drives at Sarvotik Ashram and Sankat Mochan Mandir Rourkela Vedvyas Lions Club ran multiple projects supporting causes that were close to PMCC Sanjay Sahu’s heart.
Rourkela Smart City Lions Club distributed clothes to those in need.
The tribute transcended district lines with Patna Vishal Lions Club of District 322E joining the commemoration honouring his inspirational leadership.
Each project reflected the values that PMCC Sanjay Sahu cherished most: treating every person with dignity, meeting needs with generosity, and serving without seeking recognition. The prayer meetings held in his memory echoed with gratitude—not just for his life, but for the example he set.
The greatest tribute to any Lion isn’t found in speeches or plaques, but in the continuation of their service. Through the acts of kindness by Lions and Leos of District 322C2, PMCC Sanjay Sahu’s legacy continues to inspire new generations to serve with the same humility, grace, and love he showed throughout his remarkable life.