Past International Director Lion Premchand R. Bafana was born in a very respected family of
social workers and renowned businessmen of Pune, had his education in Pune and was a
student of medicine. However, he had to leave medical college to shoulder the responsibilities
of joint family business due to the premature demise of his father. He not only shouldered the
responsibilities of the family business of fertilisers and agricultural products, but also opened
new avenues of business in petroleum products, tyres, automobile accessories, transport,
construction, real estate an00d textiles.
He is associated with many social, cultural and education institutions and takes active interest
in the social and moral welfare of his city and community.
He has been the President of Poona Club Ltd., Wholesale Kerosene Dealer's Association and
Poona Tyre Dealer's Association. He has also been associated with the remand home, Jain
Vidya Prasarak Mandal, Shree Vijay Vallabh Jain Vidya Prasarak Trust and the establishment
of hostel for working women. He was the President of his Community Temple Shri
Shankheshwar Parshwanath Jain Shwetamber Mandir Trust for 22 years. He has been the
President of Maharashtra Bridge Association and he was also President of Bridge Federation of
India, a very prestigious sports body. He has been a member of the Advisory Board of the
Continuing Medical Education program of the Government of India to assist in utilising services
of Indian physicians settled in U.S.A. and seeking medical equipment from them. He is member
of the Executive Committee of Maratha Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture.
Lion Bafana was invited to be a member of the Lions Club in 1965 and since then he has been a
very active Lion. He has served his Club and District administration with distinction and was
elected as District Governor of District 3234 -D2 for 1975-76. At present he is a member of Lions
Club of Poona Ganeshkhind.
He was elected as International Director from the constitutional area of Africa and South West
Asia consisting of 54 countries for two year term 1980-82. During this period he also served as:
a) Member of the Club Supplies Committee for 1980-81.
b) Chairman-International Service Activities Committee 1981-82 c)Member of the prestigious
Long-Range Planning Committee for 1981-82.
On completion of his term on the board he was invited to serve the International Board as
appointee and member of the Finance and Headquarters Committee for 1982-83. As ID he
helped in evolving new concepts. As a member of the Club supplies Committee he was
instrumental in bringing about the licencing policy of the Association for Club Supplies. As
Chairman of Service Activities Committee he helped in evolving adoption of long term service
objective, viz. a) Diabetic Research & Treatment b) Journey for Sight, c) Drug Abuse
Awareness and Prevention Programme, d) Establish World Peace Day and e) Concept of a
common Lions International Programme
He was the Chairman of Lions of India Service Trust from 1989 - since its inception till 2003. He
was also the trustee of Lions Quest in India Foundation and was Chairman of Centenary
Celebrations – Multiple Dist 323. He was also Vice Chairman of the Election Committee at the
International Convention at Chicago during the year 2016-17. As a Chairman of New &
Emerging Countries Ad Hoc Committee for the lionistic year 2017-18 he successfully brought in
two new countries – Myanmar and Afghanistan in the fold of lionism. At present he is 1) Advisor
to the Board of Management – Lions India Magazine Committee. 2) He also implemented two
important programs – 100 Lions Children's Health Park and Lions Signage Program
He won many awards and citations to his credit, some of which are 100% District Governor's
Award, International President's Awards and he is the first Melvin Jones Fellow from India. He
has also been awarded the highest award that can be bestowed on a Lion – “Ambassador of
Goodwill”.
He and his wife Shashiprabha have two sons – Prashant and Kapil, a daughter - Preeti and five
grand children – Meghav, Neerav, Ishan, Yohan & Krishav.
