DGL Feb 2003

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ADDRESS OF R.W.D.G.M. AT THE HALF-YEARLY MEETING OF THE D.G.L. ON 8th FEBRUARY 2003 AT CHENNAI

Brethren, Before we begin, Brethren, I have a very sad duty to perform - to remember our recently departed, and most respected Past District Grand Master, A.P. Tampi, who has been called to the Grand Lodge above. I would now request you to stand by silence for a few moments, and while still upstanding I shall call upon the D.G.S. to deliver a memorial Oration. I wish you all a Happy New Year and hope it will bring you all good cheer, good health and enlarge your spirit of generosity. Let me bid you welcome to the City of Madras now called Chennai, and to this District Grand Lodge Investiture Meeting being held under the banner of the Archibald Campbell Lodge, which celebrates its Platinum Jubilee this year and which celebrations I had the pleasure of attending at an emergency meeting yesterday. It is a matter of special pride for me to be sitting in this Chair while my mother Lodge celebrates its Jubilee, and indeed in great measure to justify the choice Sir Archibald made in consecrating a Lodge to especially reflect Indo-British associations.

Fortuitously, some months ago, Sir Archibald's son Wor. Bro. Colin Campbell wrote the Lodge a letter of general enquiry, to which I personally responded, inviting him or any other member of the Campbell clan to attend this Jubilee. Although Wor. Bro. Colin could not be present with us on this occasion, Wor. Bro. Dr. James Campbell, his nephew, and Sir Archibald's grandson who is the I.P.M. of the Middlesex Lodge No.143, a Bi-centenary Lodge is happily here with us. We wish Dr. James Campbell a warm welcome and hope he is enjoying his sojourn amongst us, while thanking him for having taken the time and trouble to join us on this memorable occasion. We have today in our midst R.W.Bro.D.C.Bajan, R.W.District Grand Master of Bombay and Northern India with his deputation and the District Grand Master of our neighbouring country R.W.Bro.S.Kumaranayagam and his deputation. To each one of the visiting brethren, I extend a most hearty welcome and our thanks for the trouble they have taken to be with us.

All our Brethren are aware of the happy development recently of our Grand Lodge restoring friendly communications with the Grand Lodge of India, which has been received well by our Brethren around the District. Regrettably, the Regional Grand Master and his colleagues have expressed their inability to accept my invitation to attend this Meeting because they had earlier unwittingly arranged their R.G.L. Meeting at Coimbatore on this very week-end. However, there will be other occasions and opportunities for inter-visitation which we shall be happy to offer and to accept.

Let me now address the recipients of honours and ranks this evening. I think I have made it abundantly clear on my rounds over the District that such preferments are in recognition of Masonic service rendered in the past, and with it the hope of a continuance of good work in the future. There can be no other consideration that can take precedence over the discharge of Masonic obligations, discipline and duty. I am particularly observant of the charitable initiatives taken around my jurisdiction, since generosity is a principle not a sum of money. We need membership, therefore increased membership though particularly of younger initiates of quality should be a focus for all Lodge Past Masters to address. We do realize that there are some Lodges which have more than fulfilled their membership targets and now face longer waiting times in progression to the East. The District administration is seized of this matter, although there can be no quick resolution of this situation as we are not permitted to consecrate new Lodges. Before I move on to the next subject, I must here exhort all District Grand Officers, past and present, to take active interest in the affairs of the District to the extent this is possible, and in particular to assist the District Grand Director of Ceremonies in his duties at Installation meetings of Lodges. Current Officers must make it a point to be present on occasions when I or my representative visits a Lodge officially so that the deputation is strong enough to lend a sense of dignified presence at ceremonial meetings in the Lodge. Actually, Current District Officers will be failing in their duty if they do not respond to invitations so graciously extended by lodges for attending their meetings and the after-meeting proceedings that are got up by them at considerable expense. I am particularly upset at Current Officers who hold high and significant ranks who do not even bother to intimate the DGDC of their inability to attend. I sincerely trust that Officers will extend their assistance in this aspect of their duties.

RECOGNITION OF GRAND LODGE OF INDIA: As I have mentioned earlier, our Grand Lodge has restored amity with the Grand Lodge of India at the Quarterly Communication held on 11th December 2002 with a fresh agreement having been entered into in this regard. The terms of the agreement relating to our own interface with the other Constitution have been spelt out and already circulated to lodges, so I shall not repeat them here. In this connection, in November 2002, the Grand Secretary had requested me to travel to New Delhi with the District Grand Secretary to meet with V W Bro John Hamill, Director of Communications at the Grand Lodge who was visiting India, to acquaint ourselves with the terms of the agreement and the circumstances which led to the conclusion of the same. Similar invitations were extended to other two District Grand Masters from Bombay and Bengal and the DGM Bengal was present with his DGS.

Arising from the understanding reached between the two Grand Lodges on this subject I need only to emphasise good and proper Masonic behaviour on the part of each and every brother and to respond in a fraternal spirit to the restoration of amity

GRAND LODGE: The report of the Board of General Purposes presented at the meeting of the Grand Lodge on 12th June 2002, includes a consolidated statement of Grand Lodge's rulings and decisions given over the years which directly or indirectly relate to demonstration of rituals. These will be circulated by the District Grand Secretary in course of time for information of brethren and lodges.

At the Communication held on 11th September 2002, certain amendments have been brought forward concerning conferment of ranks by District Grand Masters. These relate to the calculation of such conferment on the basis of the number of masons in the District as against the number of lodges in a District as presently followed. It is also proposed that promotions shall be limited to 80% of the overall eligibility for ranks in a District. These however are to come into effect from January 2005. I am making special mention of this aspect to impress on your minds that our Book of Constitutions lays down precise limits for conferment of active and past ranks and Grand Lodge is also particular in emphasising that in the conferment of ranks, their importance should not be diluted at any point of time.

Another amendment proposed which is of relevance to us is that Districts are being empowered to elect a firm of Auditors to audit the accounts of a District, if they so desire. Brethren will note that an enabling amendment on these lines is being proposed to our own By laws.

In a presentation on the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution by the President RW Bro Brian Smith, mention has been made that, henceforth, Grand Charity will be the channelising body for disbursement of charities. You will be heartened to learn that annuities and funds being passed over to finance existing annuitants is in excess of Pounds Sterling 14 million. The presentation goes on to exhort every brother "to act as assistant Almoners and to seek out potential applicants who are in need of care and support …" At one point in the presentation, the President states that "at our accommodation each person lives with dignity and as much independence as is possible so that residents really do make it their own home. I would describe the atmosphere as being more like a "country club" rather than the traditional idea of a registered home." I have quoted this sentence with particular reference to our own Lord Cornwallis Masonic Senior Citizens Home to which I shall refer later.

A particular sentence which struck me as important to be quoted verbatim from the address of the MW Pro Grand Master follows :

"But, above all, the feeling that struck me most as I paraded in full regalia down Warwick High Street, was that at last we were doing something open and proactive in our own communities to demonstrate the good things we stand for and to show how proud we are to be members of this ancient and honourable institution."

Another important announcement by Grand Lodge is the proposal to form a Metropolitan Grand Lodge for the London metropolis which will be more or less equivalent to a Province.

Last but not least, I must mention that our dear brother W Brother T A K Rathnam of Lodge Cauvery, who was conferred a Grand Rank last year, attended this Grand Communication and the address of MW Pro Grand Master makes a special acknowledgement of his attendance.

INSTALLATION OF A NEW DISTRICT GRAND MASTER FOR BOMBAY AND NORTHERN INDIA:

Brethren will be happy to learn that by command of M W Grand Master, I had the good fortune to instal W Bro Dorab Cowasji Bajan who is with us here today, as the Grand Superintendent and District Grand Master for Bombay and Northern India at Mumbai on 27th and 28th of September, 2002. I was accompanied by W Bro K Krishna Pillai, ADGM, W Bro Balaji Singh DGDC and W Bro K V Srinivasan DGS, were well received and hospitably taken care of by the brethren of that District. At the speeches made during the banquets, we were warmly congratulated on the conduct of the ceremonies on both occasions.

DISTRICT AFFAIRS: I now turn to the affairs of our own District. Continuing with my stated objective of interaction with lodges and Brethren in the District, I have now completed all my visits to Lodges at installation meetings as I had promised when I first assumed this office two years ago. These visits have helped to a great extent in cementing the relationship between the District administration and our Lodges for I have been able to acquaint Brethren in the District of our activities and problems as also my own thoughts on the various aspects of lodge activities and rituals, after-meeting proceedings such as banquets, charitable activities, involvement of families, the need and vigilance for continued adherence to decency and decorum in all masonic proceedings including dinners etc. The interaction with so many Brethren of the District has also given me a great opportunity to assess the potential of the lodges of which they are members, and of their contribution in making them work successfully. The task of motivating them, therefore, becomes that much easier for me. This should not, however deter senior brethren in their own lodges, from instructing brethren in the proper conduct of the affairs of the lodge, be it in rituals or administration or in their conduct as masons. I must particularly draw the attention of Lodges to the Circulars we have sent out recently on the Grand Lodges earlier directives on after-meeting refreshments and dining, and the manner in which these expenses should be shared.

The accounts of the District Grand Lodge which are before you will show that there has been an increase in the cost of administration apart from a steep fall in income because of lowered statutory rates of interest. I may state here that after my assumption of Office, certain conscious decisions were taken in the interest of bringing administration and accounting procedures to prevailing standards thereof and to achieve which, stress was laid on computerisation of accounts, membership and attendance records as also on updating data on ranks etc. The remuneration of the meagre staff at the DGL Office was revised to provide for a scale of pay so that they would be motivated to give their best and to put their years of experience in this Office to better effect.

You have, earlier in the proceedings, heard the D G Secretary move the notice of motion for an increase in dues payable by lodges to the DGL. The explanatory statement together with a detailed note sent to Lodges sets out the necessity for this increase. The D G Secretary and the D G Treasurer will always be ready to clarify any of your doubts in this matter, but you may rest assured that the District Board of General Purposes has given most careful consideration to the proposed amendment before putting it up to you. I may mention that the proposed increase per capita, works out to hardly Rs.7 per month. We must also keep in mind that there is a substantial allocation from these dues to the District Grand Charity and to the Repairs & Renovation Fund.

COMPUTERISATION:

Having accepted computerisation, we are now taking up the work of creating a comprehensive data base of Brethren in the District with linkage to their membership in the affiliated degrees i.e. of R A Chapter, Mark, Conclaves etc. Efforts are also on to pass on a common platform to daughter Lodges for maintenance of their membership registers and copies of the various returns to DGL and Grand Lodge so that in the course of a short time, Secretaries of Lodges will only have to key-in changes in their membership such as initiations, joinings, resignations, deaths and these will be automatically updated in the DGL records. Needless to say, this effort requires support from Lodges who should create an access to the computerised systems for themselves and instal the software which would be compatible for the linkages that we have in mind. The D G Secretary will be in touch with Lodges from time to time to ensure that this programme is implemented smoothly and without much delay. As stated in my earlier address, this computerisation effort has been made possible due to the sustained work put in by our D G Treasurer, W Bro D G Nayar and Bro Subramaniam Natarajan of the Archibald Campbell Lodge, with negligible cost to the Masonic exchequer.

WEBSITE:

I must express a sense of disappointment in this area, for the updating of the Site by Lodges contributions has not been keeping pace with events in the District. It is very essential that Lodges provide data in all aspects of working of degrees, special events such as ladies nights, charity programmes and masonic education, reporting on milestones in the careers of members and anything else of general interest. Such data would not only create a genuine curiosity in brethren but also act as a motivating factor for lodges in picking up hints for emulation. I expect that a spirit of healthy competition would be created among lodges through the website. I exhort lodges to take this initiative seriously so that the website which is easily the best and most comprehensive Masonic Site as of date, maintains this distinction in the days to come. We have just received news that the Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry has recognised our Website as being worthy of their commendation as an Excellent Masonic Website, and you will find a certificate to this effect on the Website. Congratulations to Wor. Bro. Hari Ratan our District Information Officer and his team for their work resulting in this recognition.

RENOVATION OF THE CHENNAI PROPERTY: In my last address, I had mentioned that the DGL through the Madras Freemasons' Hall Trust, proposes to take up certain renovation work to create a facility for the benefit of brethren in after-meeting gatherings and that a Masonic and Heritage Buildings Trust has been established to collect funds and defray the same in proper renovation and restoration of our own and other similar Masonic buildings.

The proposals which are to be implemented in successive phases are to renovate the present RGL Office, create Kitchen and pantry space for proper use by caterers, instal modern lockers for lodges and brethren for safekeeping of records and Regalia, a separate Dining Room for the exclusive use of brethren outside of their regular lodge dinners and attendant after-meeting facilities.

The grant of exemption for the Masonic Heritage Trust itself and for donations received by it has been somewhat delayed due to administrative processes at the Income-tax Department, and is expected to be received any day now. The process of addressing Lodges and brethren through the various aspects of the renovation and the benefits it will create for the masonic fraternity will be taken up by some of the senior brethren in the District. I will now only say, " Brethren, please rise to the occasion, it is your property, let us get the best out of it". I am more than confident that you will respond positively.

PREMISES COMMITTEE: The Premises Committee under the chairmanship of W Bro S L Chitale, who succeeded W Bro S Chellappa, our Dy DGM to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for his yeoman services to this Committee, and who requested to be relieved due to ill-health, has been meeting regularly on a monthly basis and looking into the various aspects of the Freemasons' Hall here. With the completion of the total renovation of the temples and dining halls by the RGL of Southern India and the proposed work undertaken by us to complete the creation of a wholesome infrastructure, the burden of maintenance and upkeep of the facilities has greatly increased. While rates for temples and halls have been revised upwards, a lot still needs to be done to keep the facilities in good repair. The members of this Committee which was created under the Madras Freemasons' Hall Trust Deed works under the direct supervision of the two Trustees who have been keeping themselves abreast of the activities and giving approvals as necessary. Happily, the Trustees have also met more frequently and for the record I must say there have been five such meetings between them during the last year or so. The funds for the Premises Committee come from contributions made by lodges for use of the Temples and the various Meeting rooms and for this reason it is necessary that brethren use the facilities with utmost care and a sense of responsibility.

CHARITY INITIATIVES:

I am not sure if it is too early to assess the impact of my call to Lodges at the last meeting to initiate charity projects on their own. Reports from lodges have not thrown up any major instances in this direction with the exception of the St. John's Lodge, Secunderabad, Lodge Cochin, the Pitt Macdonald Lodge and Lodge Rock who have been pursuing their considerable activities in this regard. I must once again emphasise that the involvement of junior brethren and their families will be the key for survival of the Order and towards this end, charity work will be the major initiative that will attract and sustain their interest.

On the Cornwallis Masonic Home, while substantial progress has been achieved in the clearance of the title deeds in our favour, commencement of work at site has been considerably delayed. The building plans were approved only in the last few weeks. In the meanwhile, off my own bat I have had discussions with an established Trust in Bangalore who presently care for the Elderly and have the necessary expertise in this field. The Executive Council of the Charity is following up this lead and is endeavouring to finalise a management contract with them, for day-to-day operation of the Home, subject to the overall supervision of the Council and a Governing Body, to be put in place at the appropriate time.

It is also being planned to arrange for interim funding of the Project to ensure its uninterrupted implementation pending the raising of resources through the Trust itself and also through Deposits from the Residents. A Project Report prepared for this purpose is being processed by the funding institutions and the negotiations are likely to be completed in a couple of months.

Brethren, I am personally taking interest in this Project and continually monitoring the Charity Council's progress so that the Home becomes a reality in the near future and is a visible example of our charitable efforts which should hopefully lead to the establishment of similar projects in other centres. To create further impetus to the project's progress, I have constituted a small Task Force to liaise, follow-up, motivate and assist in implementation of the multitude of tasks necessary to give effect to the Charity Council's decisions. . This Task Force will consist of W Bro S Sampath (Lodge St George) who will be the Convenor and W Bros K Venkat Ramana (St. John's Lodge) and A T Matthan and Bro. T. Thomas (both of Southern Brotherhood Lodge).

INSTALLATION MEETINGS:

I personally had the pleasure of attending the installation meetings of the following lodges: Lodge St. George No 2532 - 23-09-2002 Archibald Campbell Lodge No 4998 - 28-10-2002 John Miller Lodge No 1906 - 20-11-2002 St.John's Lodge No 434 - 27-12-2002 Kerala Lodge No 2188 - 04-01-2003 Lodge of Perfect Unanimity No 150 - 10-01-2003 Pitt Macdonald Lodge No 1198 - 11-01-2003 Lodge Cochin No 4359 - 18-01-2003

The following installation meetings were attended by representatives nominated by me for the purpose. I am thankful to the brethren for their effort in undertaking this task. I am particularly grateful to Wor. Bro. P. Mukundan who has been the most co-operative in accepting these engagements even at short notice, where I have not been able to attend.

W Bro Dr K K Varma Lodge Southern Brotherhood No 3311 25-11-2002 W Bro G Rangachari Lodge of Universal Charity No 273 26-12-2002 W Bro Dr T A K Rathnam Lodge of Rock No 260 04-01-2003 W Bro P K Abdulla Kutty Lodge Quilon No 5839 11-01-2003 W Bro P Mukundan Lodge Ampthill No 3682 18-01-2003 W Bro K V Srinivasan Golconda Lodge No 3249 31-01-2003

Records of lodges were inspected by various brethren under my directions as under and I must express my sincere thanks to each one of them for the pains they have taken in this important work:

W Bro. B. Balaji Singh - St.John's Lodge No 434 Lodge Perfect Unanimity No 150 Kerala Lodge No 2188 Lodge Cochin No 4359

W Bro. D.G. Nayar - Lodge St. George No 2532 John Miller Lodge No 1906 Pitt Macdonald Lodge No 1198

W Bro. G. Rangachari - Archibald Campbell Lodge No 4998

BANNER LODGE:

As stated at the beginning of my address, the Archibald Campbell Lodge undertook the onerous duty of hosting this Meeting coupled with the celebrations of their Platinum Jubilee. I am personally aware that the members of this Lodge consisting of many a young brother, commenced the planning of their activities more than a year ago and I am sure you will all agree that they have done a marvellous job and kept everyone happy and satisfied. My thanks go to the Worshipful Master, the youthful W Bro H L Ratan and his team of brethren on the various Committees and without any doubt the senior brethren who directed and assisted them in full measure.

OBITUARY:

Brethren, since we last met, the following brethren have been called to the Grand Lodge above. I must particularly pay special homage to W Bro George Gnanadickam PJGD, PDGSW whose passing away was a great loss to this District and to me personally. He was for long the District Grand Director of Ceremonies and thereafter District Grand Secretary. His involve ment in masonic affairs in this District and his devotion to the Fraternity were of no small measure. He had in the last few years moved over to Australia and took active interest in masonry there also and in recognition was conferred Honours in the Grand Lodge of Victoria.His devoted wife Mangalam joined him in the Grand Lodge above within the month.

Bro P S Mani, MM, Kerala Lodge No 2188 - 13-08-2002

Bro S C Hataria, MM, Lodge Ampthill No 3682 - 31-08-2002

W Bro George Gnanadickam, PJGD, Lodge of Universal Charity - 06-10-2002 No 273

W Bro Abbas Abdul Tayeb , PDGJW, Lodge Quilon No 5839 - 09-10-2002

Bro V Chidambaram, MM, Archibald Campbell Lodge No 4998 - 12-10-2002

We have already conveyed our deep sense of sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the Lodges and the respective families. May I now request you to kindly stand in silence for a few moments in memory of the departed souls .

Nothing now remains, brethren, except to place on record my sincere thanks to the various Officers of the District Grand Lodge for their dedication to their duties. I must particularly mention the untiring efforts of W Bro Balaji Singh DGDC who accompanied me to all the meetings that I attended around the District and helped to ensure devotion to our ceremonials to satisfy the most finicky amongst us. Our thanks are also due to W Bro S Chellappa, Dy DGM., W. Bro. K. Krishna Pillai, ADGM, W Bro D G Nayar, Distrrict Grand Treasurer and W Bro K V Srinivasan, District Grand Secretary for their contributions to the affairs of the District. We look forward to Wor. Bro. S. Chellappa recovering his health and returning to our midst.

Before I close I would like on your behalf and my own, to thank the staff of the District Grand Lodge headed by W. Bro. Jacob Mathew, Dist. Asst. Grand Secretary for the devoted discharge of their duties.

I would like to once again thank the visiting DGMs and the members of their deputations and W. Bro. James Campbell and his friend Bro. Paul Engeham for their visit and look forward to all of their company at the Banquet to follow.

It's been unavoidably a long address and I thank you brethren for the patient hearing you have afforded me and bid you farewell till we meet next in August at Hyderabad, a City that has undergone the greatest rejuvenation of all those in our District, which positive effect has also charged up our Lodges there.