"Dignity in death is the sentiment behind this permanent project of our club. It was nearly eight years ago in the year 1997 that our club thought of this novel and meaningful project so that the deceased citizen of the township can embark on the last journey with the same amount of dignity that they enjoyed during their life. This service project has given a great deal of respite to the relatives and other mourners from having to carry the body to the crematorium. This service is extended free of charge by our club. Till date about 4200 bodies have been transported for cremation in this bus.

 

This project is an extension of the previous one Shav Vahini and is of immense help when for various reasons the body of a deceased person cannot be cremated immediately. This morgue can preserve the body for nearly 28 days by keeping the deterioration at bay after rigor mortis sets in. Earlier when the situation demanded that the body be kept for a few hours, especially during summers, the kin of the departed had a tough time dealing with the melting ice slabs and procuring fresh ones. The morgue is an easy to use device and has been frequently used since its launch.

Human habitat inevitably means littering of waste in its surrounding. And garbage disposal becomes a pressing need. The local municipalities can only do so much and no more, so Lions Club of Gandhidham took up the challenge of keeping the city clean. Four Garbage collection vans were introduced with the help of sponsors almost five years back to collect the garbage from particular localities. This two-pronged project helped four unemployed men to earn a living and also relieve the citizens of the piling dirt and the problem of flies and mosquitoes hovering over it. The cycle rickshaws with a cart are pulled by men who go from house to house to collect garbage for a nominal monthly remuneration from each house.

A dwelling looks barren without shrubs. A town looks desolate without trees. A house and a clean city does not necessarily mean a happy citizen so after taking up the "Make city clean" drive the next logical step was to take up "Make City Green" drive. In fact this trend of distributing free sapling procured from the Social Forestry Division to the people of the township has been a longstanding tradition of our club. Since 1980-81, for almost a quarter of a century, this project has been one of our permanent projects. Thanks to the endeavors like these taken by our club the barren desert land of our town has metamorphosed into an oasis of sorts.

 

When talking about saplings can parks be far behind? The upcoming Lions Park, adjacent to our Lions Community center has been a long cherished dream come true for our club. A safe recreational haven for children also doubles up as a place to unwind for the parents and general public yearning for a whiff of fresh and fragrant cool breeze. A place to relax and take a breather from running on the jogging tracks. Amidst the green trees and flowers of different hues, home to a host of chirping birds, ones spirits are bound to be elevated by the serene surroundings. For regular maintenance and watering of the plants two gardeners are appointed by the club. So near and yet so far away from the hustle and bustle of a frenzied life.

 

Lions Club of Gandhidham recognizes the needs of the deceased but the needs of the living are far more real and urgent. Death demands only a little space but life needs a lot of it to grow and move about freely. Hence the need for a shelter arises. A number of people of the township were rendered homeless in the wake of the enormous earthquake, which shook Kutch and its neighboring districts six years back. With the aid extended by LCIF to our club for providing shelter to 50 families.

 

Throughout the four decades of incessant, unceasing exemplary services to the people of the township, the one permanent project which is called out every year - throughout these years is tricycle distribution. Many handicapped needy people are benefited from this project.

 

This major fund raising event has been a permanent feature of our club for the past nine years and is very popular with the masses. Adjudged the best Navratri in town by AlfaT V Gujarati Channel, the nine nights of revelry and rituals earn a handsome amount of funds. These are duly spent on developing and upkeep of the Lions Park.
 

• Sapling Distribution & Tree plantation: Around 10000 Saplings will be distributed and trees will be planted at CISF colony at New Kandla and Rambagh Hospital in July 2007.

• Tricycle Distribution: Our permanent project of tricycle distribution will be carried out in July 2007.

• Blood Donation: A blood donation camp is also organized in July 2007.