Four Nepali Lions Clubs Unite for Joint Installation 2026

Four Nepali Lions Clubs Unite for Joint Installation 2026 Celebrating two decades of service, leadership and the growing legacy of Nepali Lionism in District 4-C3 By Dhruva Thapa | Dhruva’s Creations On Sunday, August 30, 2026, four Nepali-American Lions Clubs of District 4-C3 will come together at The Gyuto Foundation in Richmond, California, for the…

Dhruva’s Creations

08/15/2026

5–7 minutes

Four Nepali Lions Clubs Unite for Joint Installation 2026

Celebrating two decades of service, leadership and the growing legacy of Nepali Lionism in District 4-C3

By Dhruva Thapa | Dhruva’s Creations

On Sunday, August 30, 2026, four Nepali-American Lions Clubs of District 4-C3 will come together at The Gyuto Foundation in Richmond, California, for the Lions Clubs Joint Installation 2026.

The evening will celebrate the installation of officers for the 2026–2027 Lions year, recognize outgoing leadership, and bring together Lions, families, friends and community supporters for fellowship, food and entertainment.

Participating this year are the Lions Club of Berkeley Annapurna, Fremont Sagarmatha, Berkeley Makalu, and El Sobrante Machhapuchhare.

But behind this annual ceremony lies a much larger story, one that began two decades ago and has helped shape Nepali-American participation in Lions leadership throughout Northern California.

Berkeley Annapurna: From one club to three District Governors

That story begins with Berkeley Annapurna Lions Club, established in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2006.

From its early years, Berkeley Annapurna combined two commitments: serving communities here in California while maintaining a humanitarian connection with Nepal. Its work and partnerships have included blood drives, health and vision initiatives, food assistance, fundraising, sports and community programs, disaster relief efforts, and the Momo Festival. Historical club records also show Berkeley Annapurna collaborating with numerous Nepali Lions clubs across Northern California. (Berkeley Annapurna Lions Club)

Perhaps one of the club’s most significant contributions, however, has been leadership development.

Over its history, Berkeley Annapurna has produced three District Governors of Lions District 4-C3: Rajen Thapa, Manil Babu Shrestha and Laxmi Chaudhary.

PDG Rajen Thapa became a pioneering Nepali Lions leader in the United States. In 2018, while serving as District 4-C3 Governor, he was described by Berkeley Annapurna as the first Nepali District Governor in the United States and outside Nepal, and he addressed the centenial Lions Clubs International Convention in Chicago. The club credits him with helping initiate and motivate the formation of numerous Nepali and specialty Lions clubs across the country. (Berkeley Annapurna Lions Club)

PDG Manil Babu Shrestha later carried that legacy forward, becoming District Governor of 4-C3 for the 2023–2024 Lions year. His District Cabinet installation in Concord marked another milestone for Berkeley Annapurna, with the ceremonial symbols of District leadership formally transferred to his home club. (Berkeley Annapurna Lions Club)

Then came Laxmi Chaudhary, a charter member of Berkeley Annapurna, who joined the club in 2006 and eventually rose through club and District leadership to become District Governor for 2025–2026. District 4-C3 records confirm her service as Berkeley Annapurna President in 2012–2013 and her progression through numerous leadership responsibilities before becoming Governor. (Lions District 4-C3)

Three District Governors emerging from one community-based club is an achievement worth recognizing. More importantly, it reflects how service at the club level can gradually develop leaders capable of serving an entire District.

From Berkeley Annapurna to a growing network

Berkeley Annapurna’s influence did not remain within Berkeley.

In 2014, it helped establish Fremont Sagarmatha Lions Club. Club records document Berkeley Annapurna leaders participating directly in its formation and welcoming its charter leadership into the Lions family. (Berkeley Annapurna Lions Club)

The relationship soon developed into a tradition of collaboration.

By 2015, Berkeley Annapurna and Fremont Sagarmatha were already conducting joint installations. As additional Nepali Lions clubs emerged, that tradition expanded. Berkeley Makalu later became part of the joint installation and shared service activities, while El Sobrante Machhapuchhare, chartered in 2024, represents a newer generation of that continuing growth. (Berkeley Annapurna Lions Club)

Today these clubs are not simply connected by language or heritage. They have repeatedly worked together around the Lions principle of “We Serve.”

Their collaboration has included annual blood drives, community fundraising, health programs, cultural events, sports activities and projects supporting causes in both Northern California and Nepal. (Berkeley Annapurna Lions Club)

That makes their Joint Installation more than an administrative ceremony. It has become a gathering where the history of one year is handed to the leadership of the next.

Leadership for 2026–2027

This year’s ceremony presents an interesting balance between transition and continuity.

At Berkeley Annapurna, Namrata Dahal concludes her presidential term and Paras Shrestha will be installed as Incoming President.

At Fremont Sagarmatha, Laxmi Raut Choudhary completes her term and Ranjana Pandey steps forward as Incoming President.

For Berkeley Makalu, Deepak Lamichhane will continue his leadership for a second term, while Suresh Bhatta will likewise serve a second term as President of El Sobrante Machhapuchhare.

Lamichhane and Bhatta were installed as presidents at the 2025 Joint Installation. At that ceremony, Lamichhane emphasized greater collaboration among the clubs, while Bhatta identified mental health and holistic well-being as an area of focus. (Berkeley Annapurna Lions Club)

The four presidents therefore enter 2026–2027 from different places: two beginning new presidential responsibilities and two bringing the experience and continuity of a second term.

Yet they share the same responsibility: to turn the Lions motto from words into meaningful service.

A celebration of leadership, but ultimately of service

The installation ceremony will be conducted by DG Valerie Griffin, District Governor for 2026–2027, with PDG Rajen Thapa serving as Keynote Speaker.

For Rajen Thapa, returning to address a gathering that includes Berkeley Annapurna carries special historical significance. His journey from the club to District leadership, followed by Manil Babu Shrestha and Laxmi Chaudhary, mirrors the broader growth of Nepali Lionism within District 4-C3.

District 4-C3 itself encompasses Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, and its current public information lists more than 1,000 Lions serving through over 40 clubs. (Lions District 4-C3)

Within that larger Lions family, the Nepali clubs have developed a distinctive identity while remaining part of the District’s broader mission.

Their story is therefore not simply about Nepali Lions serving Nepalis.

It is about immigrants and their succeeding generations using their heritage, relationships and spirit of volunteerism to become active contributors to the communities they now call home, while continuing to remember communities across the ocean.

That may be the most meaningful legacy behind this year’s installation.

Presidents change. Cabinets change. New members arrive. Experienced leaders eventually make room for others.

Service continues.

And perhaps that is why the journey from one Nepali Lions club in Berkeley to multiple clubs, collaborative community projects and three District Governors from Berkeley Annapurna alone deserves to be remembered.

On August 30, another chapter of that journey begins.