|
|
|
 |
|
|
||
| ||||||
|
'This page has been approved by the United Grand Lodge of England’
|
A REPORT ON THE DISTRICT GRAND LODGE HALF YEARLY MEETING HELD AT THANJAVUR ON 6th / 7TH August 2004 AT THE HOTEL ORIENTAL TOWERS From a Web Reporter Thanjavur is well known for its temples for its paintings, for its wonderful Saraswathi Mahal Library, music and the festival thereof at Tiruvaiyaru, but no one can deny the matching attractions of the Masonic Hospitality of our Brethren of Lodge Cauvery. Despite Lawyers’ agitations in the neighbourhood and the awful Kumbakonam tragedy casting some shadows, the effulgence of the all pervading divinity of its environs, and the sunny warmth extended by our Brethren more than compensated for any pall that might have hung over us. Masons arrived by private hired buses, by cars, by train, by aero-plane, although we do not know of any who arrived on foot or horseback. There were 270 registrations in all, of which 235 were visiting Brethren, the balance being accounted for by the local Lodge Cauvery membership. The entire Hotel Oriental Towers, excepting for a handful of curious tourists wondering what we colourful Black-birds (from our attire) were doing, was at our disposal for all the Masonic Meetings and festive Boards. So we flitted from bedroom to meeting room and feeding rooms without having to stir out of the Hotel. A welcome shower on Friday night was an indication of heavenly blessing, although some of the plans for refreshments around the Swimming Pool Terrace had to re-located elsewhere within the building. The Dive on the Friday night was, rather strangely, poorly attended, perhaps because spiritual pursuits took precedence over the spirituous. However, the RWDGM’s appeal for contributions to the Kumbakonam School (Fire) Tragedy evoked a fantastic response from the small numbers present. Although only 29 Divers were present, the total contributions collected on the whip-round was Rs.32,000/- which averaged Rs.1.000/- per attendee, which is a record. The Most Hospitable Landlord of the Dive then announced a further contribution of Rs.18,000/- from reserves making Rs.50,000/- in all for this cause from the Dive alone. The Chapter Meeting was well attended on the 7th morning excepting for a slight medical emergency causing the closest Chapter, Chapter Rock, to have no attendance – a first for the District in recent times. However this was unavoidable as Doctors were involved as can happen in their profession. There was a turnout of more than a dozen Companions from the farthest Chapter, Golconda of Secunderabad. The Craft Meeting followed in the evening starting sharp at 6.00 P.M. and an impressive number packed the Maratha Hall of the Hotel, literally to the rafters, and as usual the ceremonial was equally impressive under the eagle eye of Wor. Bro. Balaji Singh, the newly promoted Grand Officer as the District Grand Director of Ceremonies. The music was under the competent digits of Wor. Bro. Harry Pandian of Lodge Rock on the key board, assisted by Wor. Bro. George Jayaprakash and Bros. Dr. Samson Daniel and Dr. Sathya Albert as Voices – perhaps they could be called the Vellore Voices! RWDGM in his address amongst other things called for generous contributions to the collections to be made that evening on behalf of the Kumbakonam children. The gathering also rose for a moments’ silent remembrance of this sad event just an hour’s drive from our meeting location, before the District Grand Lodge was formally opened. The RWDGM announced that the evening’s Charity collection would be placed entirely at the Lodge Cauvery’s disposal to help the affected survivors of the School tragedy, which realized Rs.25,700/- another record for a District Meeting collection. A total sum of Rs.1 Lakh has been sent to the Lodge Cauvery for the hospitalised children for their further treatment for burns, including the Dive and Craft Masons’ contributions, assisted by the District Grand Charity. The Brethren later sat down to a beautifully laid out festive Board, and it was a sight to behold the serried ranks of Diners all formally dressed for dinner, facing the dais. There was a deputation which also participated in the Banquet, from the Southern Region of the Grand Lodge of India led by R.W.Bro. M. Prabhat Kumar, Representative of the R.W. Regional Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Dr. B. Biswakumar who regrettably could not be present on account of other engagements he had committed to, before we changed the dates of our meeting. It was indeed quite an admirable feat for the Lodge Cauvery and the Hotel Staff to organize a sit-down Banquet for such a large number as 250 diners. The entire gathering cheered the hotel serving staff to acknowledge their gallant efforts. The Worshipful Master and Brethren of Lodge Cauvery had done a magnificent job of hosting this Half Yearly meeting, and the efforts of the local Brethren were evident in the satisfaction that every visitor felt in the Lodge’s arrangements for receiving, housing and looking after so many Brethren. The efforts of Wor. Bros. Dr. R. Arunagiri, Dr. Mohammed Farook, Chidambaranathan, Dr. David Baskar Sundararaj and their supporting Brethren did not go unnoticed. We thank them all, each and every one, for their magnificent efforts in making this get-together in every respect a happy and memorable one. May the GAOTU long preserve them!
|
|
Designed and maintained by
H. L. Ratan for
the DGL - Madras |
