PMJF Lion.Devineni Joni Kumari

Lion Devineni Joni Kumari, born on September 8, 1947, in Boddapdu Village, Krishna District, to Sri
Yalamanchili Venkateswara Rao and Smt. Kamala, has dedicated her life to education and community
service. After graduating from D.A.R. College, Nuzvid, she married Lion Devineni Kishore Kumar,
PDG, and together they founded the successful Nagarjuna Educational Institutions in Kondapalli
in 1979.

 Her service extends beyond Lionism. She served
three terms as President and is a permanent Trust member of the Vijayawada Children’s Schools
and Tutorials Association (VCS&TA) educational service trust. Through the Vijayeebhava Trust,
established with her husband, she provides education to 30-40 underprivileged and fatherless
students annually. Since January 14, 2017, she has also been conducting Nityaannadanam, providing
meals to 25 people regularly.
Championing 

A Legacy of Impactful Leadership: Her leadership seminar in Kasi, attended by 99 Lions, remains a
remarkable achievement, remembered fondly by participants even after a decade. After establishing
an Eye Hospital, she initiated a mobile vision care center for children, serving 3,00,000 students in
Zilla Parishad, Municipal Corporation, and slum area schools.
A Beacon of Hope for Children’s Vision: She is renowned for her eye screening programs for
schoolchildren, earning her the moniker “Mother Teresa of the District.” The Lions Club of Kondapalli
honored her by naming their Eye Hospital as Lion Devineni Joni Kumari Lions Eye Hospital.

Her journey in Lionism began in 1994 as Charter Vice President of the Lions Club of
Vijayawada VRK Nagar Mahila. Over 30 years, she served in various leadership roles, including
President, Region Secretary, Z.C., R.C., District Cabinet Secretary, GST Coordinator, District Chairperson
and District Governor.

Her outstanding contributions earned her numerous awards, including
100% President, Best Lady Lion President, Outstanding Z.C., Multiple Best R.C., Super Six D.C.,
Multiple Best D.C., International Membership plaques (twice), International Leadership Medals (twice),
Multiple Most Involved Lion, Lion of the Region (thrice), International President’s Presidential Medal
(thrice), and Best District Coordinator for Vision Care at Multiple. She is a thirteen-time Melvin
Jones Fellow (MJF) and was elected First Vice District Governor in 2020-21.

As convener, she established the Jana Vignana Vedika
Kondaplli Unit in 1988 and later served as President of Krishna District Jana Vignana Vedika and
Samata Convener at the District level. In 2008, the National Integration and Economic Council of
U.P. honored her with the ‘Indira Gandhi Sadbhavana Award’.