Berkeley Annapurna Lions welcome new members and 17th President

An Installation Ceremony of two Lions Clubs of District 4-C3 was held on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at the Adventure Playground, Berkeley Marina for their incoming officers. The participating clubs were Berkeley Annapurna and Fremont Sagarmatha. Lion Dr. Tika Lamsal, an active member of Berkeley Annapurna was elected as the 17th Club President for the Lionistic year 2022-23. Similarly, Vijay K Chaudhary was elected as the Club President from Fremont Sagarmatha. District Governor Linda Baraba installed the Clubs officers and new members were inducted by Council Chair Karen Cook.
The ceremony was jointly conducted by Berkeley Annapurna’s Membership Chairperson, Lion Dhruva Thapa, and Dinesh Karn, Secretary of Fremont Sagarmatha.
The event had the special guest of honor Dr. Mahabir Pun who is well known for his extensive work in rural villages in the fields of health, education, and awareness programs by connecting those remote areas through the internet using wireless technologies. Dr. Pun, a Nepali Social innovator is also the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2007 for Community Leadership. The Award is Asia’s highest honor and is widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel. Shared his experience, hardship, and challenges that he has to face in the different fields in Nepal.
Charter President and past District Governor Lion Rajen Thapa welcomed with the medal ten Members of San Leandro Manakamana Lions Club who decided to merge their club with Berkeley Annapurna. He also encouraged club members and its officer for the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through Lions Clubs International. He encouraged them to step up for the upcoming leadership opportunities.
Lions Club of Berkeley Annapurna’s immediate Past President Bibek Shrestha recognized club members who have provided excellent leadership and service to the club during his tenure. He also presented the awards and recognition to his Cabinet officers and members, He also announced the Lion of the Year Award for outstanding service to Lion Sahil Bista. He generously appreciated and Recognized his club members who have provided excellent leadership and service to the club. He said, All the recognition and awards were for those members who had provided extraordinary efforts to successfully complete his Presidency.
Token of love presented to Council Chair Karen Cook by IPP Bibek ShresthaToken of love presented to DG Linda Barbara by clubs Presidents Clubs’ Past President and First Vice District Governor Lion Manil Shrestha appreciated the efforts of all the lions and expressed special remarks and best wishes to newly elected officers. The event concluded sharply at 6.00 Pm. For the first time, the Installation ceremony was held outside in a park for protecting its member and community from the Covid-19 Variant which is supposed to spread at the fastest rate. The Clubs had provided a typical Newari pre-packed dish at the event with the option of Veg and Non-Veg. According to program coordinator Dhurba Niraula, the participants of the event were more than expected (RSVP) and thanked all the community leaders, District Officers, and invited guests for their valuable presence.

Program host Dhruva Thapa expressed special thanks to the Newah organizations of California for their generous support, logistics, and necessary help as they also had their event in the same venue from 11 am to 3 pm. The event was widely represented by the local Lions clubs and community leaders.
Lions Clubs are a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. Lions Club of Berkeley Annapurna is the first Nepali Lions Club opened in California and the second in the USA. Since the Club’s Chartering in 2006 its members have worked on a variety of projects in the local community, including Diabetes Awareness, Sight Conservation & Eye Banks. The Club has conducted various service and fundraising projects to help feed needy people and honor the Heroes of the Covid-19 Global Pandemic. Proceeds from past fundraising events have gone to various charities, scholarships, and other causes to which the club has contributed. The Installation ceremony is also taken to Celebrate the club’s service and positive effect on its community.