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`Lions' with social consciousness

Their affinity and love for the society is commendable. Serving poor women is high on their agenda, writes S.S. Kavitha

COMMITTED Bubbling with enthusiasm PHOTO: S. JAMES

It is 6 a.m., Sunday, and her phone rings for the 30th time in one-and-a-half hours.

This time, it is from a school that wants a free eye camp to be organised for poor children on Monday. She immediately makes arrangements for the camp. This is how `lady Lions' begin their day. For them, social consciousness is in-born.

On the basis of good understanding of society, affinity, love and `lionistic' spirit these women do their service activities commendably. Serving poor women is high on their agenda.

To serve

"We are here to serve, to serve and to serve," say members of Lions Club of Madurai Temple City. In general, Lions are men and women dedicated to serving those in need, whether in their community or around the world. They are from all walks of life and volunteer their time to humanitarian causes," says Lion Saroja Navanathan, president of the club.

Earlier, these women were called `Lionesses' and worked under the `guidance' of male members. Not satisfied with playing second fiddle to men in clubs, these women wanted to have a 'lion's share' in service activities. They all had an urge to be called `Lions' instead of `Lionesses.'

Women clubs formation

The Lions Clubs International soon came out with an announcement that facilitated the formation of women clubs. On February 27, 1989, Lions Club of Madurai Temple City was born with Lion Munira Haroon as charter president, Lion Fazila Hussain as secretary and Lion Jayanthi Radhakrsihnan as treasurer, with 20 members, and Abdul Aziz as the guiding lion. Now it has 40 members.

Lion Rajeswari Thiagarajan, secretary of the club, says, "We are determined to speak for the voiceless, especially for women in the lowest rung of society."

"We convert our `leisure time' into `useful time' and our activities provide a platform to shed feminine inhibitions that often hinder a woman's progress," she says.

Lions Club of Madurai Temple City is the only `all-women club' among 89 clubs that exist in Madurai, Theni, Dindigul and Sivaganga districts (under Lions District 324 B 3). It is not easy to compete with men who have a lot of time to devote for social service. Women have to play a double role as housewife and a Lion and, some times, in case of working women, a triple role, says club member Lion Shanthi Murugesamurthy, wife of S. Murugesamurthy, District Governor.

"Even travelling long distances is a problem for women, especially, during night, but these inconveniences do not dampen our spirit as we are made of sterner stuff," she says. Mrs. Murugesamurthy has written the theme song of the year, `Aadharippom Adharavatravarai.'

In a recently held ladies' meet, she initiated steps to induct women into men's clubs.

These women compete with men's clubs in scoring marks for their activities to break into the `Top Ten' chart in administration and activities and the `Super Ten' chart that is published in `Lion Smart,' a bulletin of Lions District 324 B 3.

"Our club has the eighth rank in `Top-Ten activities' and 10th in `Super Ten'. We aim to improve our rankings and get into the `Top-Ten' administration chart also," says Mrs. Saroja Navanathan, a postgraduate in political science.

The activities of the club include medical, veterinary, AIDS awareness, time management and motivational camps and seminars.

It also conducts art classes for students and competitions for women. Nowadays, success is achieved only by those with have no limitations on time and commitment.

It is true with members of this club. The Lions Club of Madurai Temple City continues to survive and succeed against all odds whereas the Lions Club of Aarthi in Madurai and Lions Club of Venilla in Karaikudi, started on similar lines, have become defunct.

Age is no bar

When it comes to service, age is not a factor. Says Mrs. Saroja Navanathan, "Please do not discourage us by talking about age. We are grandmothers but still we are young and work round the clock."

Besides charity work at old age homes and schools, the club has so far conducted 38 blood donation camps and collected approximately 3560 units of blood, 59 general medical camps, covering 53,600 beneficiaries, and 35 eye screening camps in which 875 persons were treated.

In 2005-06, eye screening was conducted on 35,000 students and 280 spectacles were distributed free of cost. To cap it all, the secretary of the club has offered to donate her body to Government Rajaji Hospital after her death and the club has already donated three pairs of eyes to Aravind Eye Hospital.

Medico-legal aid

Lion Sarala Prasad, a doctor and a charter member of the club, provides medico-legal aid to women. The club has also planned to start students' clubs in colleges.

By the end of March, a club will be formed with students of Ambika Arts and Science College.

Members of this all-women club have a steely resolve to bring about changes in society.

Their team spirit and involvement have transformed them into full-fledged women social workers.

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