The 53rd ISAME Forum, hosted by MD 3232, didn’t just gather the world’s Lions — it reminded them why they serve.
Gujarat had called. And more than 2,000 Lions from 24 countries responded, each delegation bringing its own traditions, languages, and stories of service to the steps of Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
They came to learn, to deliberate, to donate, to celebrate, and to renew the commitment that brought them to Lionism in the first place. What they encountered was a Forum that understood the difference between organizing an event and creating an experience.
The 53rd ISAME Forum was held from December 15-19, 2025, across multiple venues. From the sweeping convention halls of Mahatma Mandir and the polished corridors of The Leela Gandhinagar to the ethnic charm of the Praveg Adalaj Theme Park, delegates moved through five days of inspirational talks, leadership meetings, recognitions, celebrations, and service that extended well beyond the venue walls.
The Business of Serving Better
Before the opening ceremonies, before the cultural performances and the banquet lights, came serious, strategic work. On December 15, 2025, Lions leaders from across ISAME gathered for high-level meetings at The Leela, Gandhinagar — and the discussions were consequential.
At the ISAME Area Leadership Meeting, the International Board-approved Third Vice President Candidate C. Robert Rettby from Switzerland was endorsed as the ISAME-supported candidate. The accounts from the Hyderabad 2024 Forum were presented by Forum Chairperson R. Sunil Kumar and Board Liaison Babu Rao Ghattamaneni. These were approved at the First Consultative Assembly the next day, which was presided over by International Director Ramesh Prajapati. A formal presentation of the 54th ISAME Forum to be held in Kathmandu was also received, and a new ISAME forum agreement was reviewed and recommended for approval. The bid for Kochi, Kerala was approved to host the 55th ISAME Forum in 2027.
The MISSION 1.5 meeting brought together Chairperson PIP Frank Moore, Executive Officers, Constitutional Area Leaders, Area Leaders, and Vice Area Leaders. Each representative reported on membership performance, and the group worked through strategies to reach the goal by June 2026.
At the LCIF Area Leadership Meeting, LCIF Trustees, CA Leaders, Area Leaders, and Multiple District Coordinators reviewed the ISAME Area’s performance during the current year, which was assessed as exceptional.
The meeting concluded with confidence that the area would meet 100% of its cash goals for the fiscal year. That confidence was not misplaced: before the Forum concluded, a $1 million LCIF pledge had been announced — a declaration of intent that will fund service for years ahead.
The Forum Opens
The action moved to Mahatma Mandir on December 16, 2025, for an inaugural ceremony that reflected both the scale and significance of the gathering. At the entrance, musicians in traditional attire signalled the beginning of the Forum with trumpets and the rhythmic beat of the nagada. The spirit continued inside, where garba dancers offered delegates a distinctly Gujarati welcome.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel formally inaugurated the Forum by lighting the ceremonial lamp in the presence of International President A. P. Singh; LCIF Chairperson Fabricio Oliveira; First Vice President Mark Lyon; Past International Presidents Frank Moore, Mahendra Amarasuriya, and Dr. Naresh Aggarwal; Board Appointee PID Sangeeta Jatia; International Directors and Past International Directors; and a galaxy of Lion leaders.
A flag ceremony led by PID Aruna Oswal, addresses by International President A. P. Singh and the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, keynote sessions, and recognitions were among the highlights of the day, with cultural performances interwoven throughout the proceedings.
Brahmvihari Swami, the driving force behind the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, drew on spiritual insight and humanitarian values in an address that left delegates with a renewed sense of purpose and perspective.
- 40 seminars across 5 tracks
- 90 Leos participating in the ISAME Leo Forum
- 12 business networking exhibits
- 950 TB patients adopted, in partnership with the Government of Gujarat
- US$1 million LCIF pledge announced
- Service Expo showcasing major Lions projects
- Service tourism visits to the Lions Eye Hospital, Blood Bank, Dialysis Centre & Lalji Mehrotra Lions School
Smt. Asha Rohit Mehta received a special honour during the Forum’s inaugural ceremony, recognized by International President A. P. Singh for her steadfast dedication to Lions. The wife of the late PIP Rohit Mehta, she has continued to serve as a Lion with quiet commitment long after his passing.
Forty Sessions, Five Tracks, One Conversation
The thoughtfully-curated sessions over three days explored leadership development, service innovation, digital transformation, LCIF impact, youth engagement, women in Lionism, and more. Hindi and Nepali language tracks ensured that learning crossed linguistic barriers, while real-time translation through the Wordly platform extended access further. The logistics alone were an achievement; the content was the real story.
The keynote speakers matched that ambition. Sujith Ravindran, founder of the BEING Abundance movement, drew on ancient Indian wisdom to challenge delegates on personal mastery and inner leadership. Sister Shivani of the Brahma Kumaris addressed inner transformation and compassion to one of the Forum’s largest audiences.
Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, a prominent voice for transgender rights, spoke on dignity, identity, and belonging. Global motivational speaker Shiv Khera and AI digital marketing consultant Sorav Jain closed the final day with grounded perspectives on leadership and growth.
What these sessions accomplished was more than knowledge transfer. They created a shared language — a common set of ideas and approaches that delegates carried home to clubs in Colombo and Karachi, Dubai and Dhaka, Thimphu and Kathmandu.
The Service Expo: Where Projects Told A Story
Sometimes the most convincing way to tell a story is simply to show the work. The Service Expo at the 53rd ISAME Forum did exactly that. Service projects from multiple districts across ISAME lined the exhibition hall, each booth a record of years of effort. The display from the Karnavati Lions Club, District 3232-B2, drew particular attention — its permanent projects offering one of the most compelling examples of sustained Lions service in the region.
Service Tourism took delegates beyond the Forum venues and into the field. Guided visits to MD 3232’s permanent projects — including LML School, Karnavati Eye Hospital, the Lions Blood Bank, and the Lions Dialysis Centre — offered a firsthand look at service institutions built and sustained by Lions.
Business Buzz
The Lions Business Network, represented through the Lions Clubs of Ahmedabad Pioneer and Transformer, brought a different energy to the exhibition floor. Member entrepreneurs showcased products and services and engaged with delegates on potential business collaborations.
Also part of this vibrant marketplace were the Lions Bazaar, representing Lion members’ businesses, and the Corporate Pavilions.
The Next Generation and New Voices
The future of Lionism was visible in two powerful conversations at the 53rd ISAME Forum — one led by youth and the other by women redefining leadership within the movement.
Ninety Leos participated in the 8th Leo ISAME Forum 2025, engaging in sessions and lively peer exchanges. The presence of International President A. P. Singh and other senior leaders underscored the importance Lions place on nurturing the next generation of service leaders.
The Forum also created space for another important dialogue — the growing role of women in Lionism. Women came together to exchange notes, share ideas and learn from each other through panel discussions and interactive sessions.
The She Dialogue, a fireside conversation between PID Sangeeta Jatia and Bollywood actor Neha Dhupia explored leadership, and the evolving role of women in public life. The discussion reflected the growing momentum of SheShakti and Lions’ deep commitment to strengthening women’s participation and leadership across the organization.
Recognising Service and Generosity
Recognition has always been part of the Lions tradition. It is not the reason we serve, but it is the Association’s way of saying: we see what you do, and it counts.
At the 53rd ISAME Forum, that spirit found expression in several moments. The national finale of the Forbes India We Serve India Awards – Season 2, presented by Lions Clubs International, recognised grassroots changemakers whose service initiatives have transformed communities.
Equally significant was the LCIF Donor Recognition. LCIF Chairperson PIP Fabricio Oliveira felicitated Lead and Million Dollar Donors – Lions whose generosity strengthens the Foundation and extends service far beyond individual clubs and districts.
District Governors who achieved 70% of their recruitment goals under MISSION 1.5 were also recognised, reflecting the region’s commitment to membership growth. The Lions Quest Award Ceremony was another highlight.
The Presidential Banquet, held at Praveg Adalaj Theme Park and attended by 500 delegates, brought together international fellowship with distinctly Gujarati hospitality. Performances by Havas Guruhi from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, known for singing Indian songs, and folk dancers from Gujarat and Punjab placed the evening at the intersection of cultures — exactly where Lions belong.
The Architecture of a Forum
From the famed Gujarati hospitality to cultural programs that included Kathak, Bhangra, and Bollywood dance performances by Neha Dhupia, Rodney and the Band from Mumbai, and spontaneous dancing by delegates, the 53rd ISAME Forum created an atmosphere where service, culture, and fellowship came together naturally.
Behind that effortless warmth stood months of careful planning and coordination. The 53rd ISAME Forum was the third ISAME Forum chaired by PID Pravin Chhajed — following successful editions in Ahmedabad in 2004 and 2015. With each edition, the benchmark has been raised.
For this Forum, he led a Host Committee of 200 Lions. PID Aruna Oswal served as Vice Chairperson and Board Liaison International Director Ramesh Prajapati provided organizational guidance. Anil Agrawal served as Secretary, and Sunil Gugaliya as Treasurer. The Steering Committee included International Directors Ramesh Prajapati, S Magesh, Nazmul Haque, Pankaj Mehta, Rajkumar Agrawal, and Subhash Babu. The planning committee’s marketing and branding work, led by Manish Bardia of Moving Pixels Pvt. Ltd., gave the Forum a strong visual identity.
The ceremonial gavel handover to Nepal at the Forum’s conclusion marked more than protocol. It symbolized the continuity of a movement that does not belong to any single country or any single host. The 54th ISAME Forum will take the tradition to Kathmandu. Those who attended Gujarat will carry their experience of what a forum can be; Nepal will build its own.