One third of the food produced in India is wasted and if saved, could feed all Indian citizens, believes Lion Percy Master, also regional manager of Lions Club International. He, along with zone managers Lions Katy Patel and Cyrus Surti carried out two hunger projects under the Lions banner, noted a report from Master’s office Prudential Global Logistics Private Limited.
On May 25, 2017, 65 children at Bal Anand were provided lunch and a cash donation of Rs 20,000. Lion Subhash Bhalwal was the day’s chief guest. Among the Club members present were Lion Daara Patel and chief operating officer Viraf Mistry. A donation of over a lakh of rupees by president Lion Rumi Engineer of Lions Club of South Hill, was acknowledged by Master. The money helped in refurbishing one floor of the institute. Speaking on the occasion, Master provided some figures: In India 194.6 million people are undernourished and around 22,500 Indians die daily of hunger and/or hunger related diseases.
Lions in action: At J. J. Dharamshala (top) and Bal Anand (above)
Established in 1984 as a residential home for orphaned, abandoned and destitute children from just-borns to six years, the facility in Karjat believes that every child on this earth has a right to a family. Bal Anand also gives a permanent home to differently abled children with special needs.
The next day (May 26), 67 inmates at Bombay’s J. J. Dharamshala were given free lunch. They also benefited from a donation of Rs 10,000 given by the Lions. The Dharamshala was established in 1831, following Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy’s financial benevolence, the report noted.