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MESSAGES 2004

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JANUARY 2004

NEW YEAR MESSAGE

The old year has departed and we have rung in the new – 2004 – which has arrived we are told with Saturn in rather proximate juxtaposition to the Earth. Apart from the interest of astronomers, we understand that of astrologers, and their myriad followers, in and out of the closet, have been aroused.

What does the new year bring ? Definitely there is a sense of confidence in the Country, and approaching prosperity is consciously bruited about, and what is known as consumer confidence appears to be manifest, particularly in the shopping malls and the stock markets.

For us, masonically speaking, will this spirit of enterprise and exultation translate into acts of charity and divert some of our attention to the needs of those out of the charmed circle, as it were? There are social stresses to be dealt with, the aged and infirm to be cared for, the poor to be addressed in terms of their most basic needs – concerns that a burgeoning economy, and its beneficiaries, can and should ameliorate.

I would therefore focus the attention of our Brethren on the pressing needs for our fraternity to increase their contributions to our Charities, particularly to the Cornwallis Home Project and to the District Grand Charity as a start to this New Year. We hope you have responded positively to the appeals of our Steward of Masonic Charities, Wor.Bro.D.P. Marshall.

We wish all our Brethren and their families, a Very Happy, Healthy and Charitable New Year, and hope that the Planets, such as they are, will be favourable to the achievement of their various resolutions in the year ahead.

FEBRUARY 2004 MENU

ADDRESS OF RWDGM AT THE ANNUAL INVESTITURE MEETING ON 14^THFEBRUARY 2004 AT CHENNAI

Brethren,

First let me wish you all a Very Happy New Year, while welcoming you to our District Headquarters, Chennai, for our Annual Investiture Meeting.

All of us are well aware of the organizing capabilities of the Brethren of the Lodge Pitt Macdonald, and their legendary hospitality – and I am sure this Lodge under whose Banner we are meeting today has made excellent arrangements for your reception and stay in the City. On your behalf I would like to thank the W.M., the Secretary and all the Brethren of Lodge Pitt Macdonald for their wholehearted support and management of this Meeting and the attendant festivities.

The year just gone by has been full of happy events – the most important of which has been our returning to friendly communication with the Grand Lodge of India, which is now manifest tonight in the presence of R W Bro M.Prabhat Kumar, Dy Regional Grand Master of RGL of Southern India, representative of R.W. the Regional Grand Master and his deputation, whom I warmly welcome to our gathering. We also look forward to their company at the festive board to follow this meeting. RWRGM had informed me that certain prior Masonic commitments have taken him away from the City and hence his inability to attend.

An Investiture Meeting is a very happy event for many who have received honours, although as always there may be those who feel hard done by, for some reason or the other.. To those who have been honoured at this Meeting, my congratulations and fervent advice to continue their contributions to our fraternity. To the others, let me assure them that in making up our lists we go strictly by the attendance and attention Brethren have paid to their Craft Lodges, and that they can always strive to have future occasions for rejoicing, by making the appropriate efforts to support and sustain their Lodges. Brethren are also reminded that the awarding of ranks has to follow a Constitutional guideline laid down by Grand Lodge, and it is beyond even my powers to transgress these well-established limitations of numbers and entitlements.

Another happy event during the year was the visit in November ’03 of the Assistant Grand Master, R.W.Bro.David Kenneth Williamson, and the Grand Secretary, V.W.Bro.Robert Morrow, who spent forty eight hours with us in Chennai (on the 16^th / 17^th November). It was arranged that some of our Senior Brethren and current District Officers meet the visiting dignitaries as well as the Members of the F.M. Hall Premises Committee at a lunch hosted by its Chairman, W Bro S L Chitale. R W Regional Grand Master, R W Bro Dr. B Biswakumar as the Co-Trustee and W Bro B Kamakoti, Regional Grand Secretary, as a special invitee were also present at the lunch to interact with the visiting dignitaries. At a Dinner arranged at the Madras Club, I was much honoured to be presented with the Kent Cube, a memento conveyed by our Grand Master, M.W.Bro. H.R.H. the Duke of Kent through the visiting dignitaries. A notable event in their program was that R.W.Bro. Williamson accepted the offer of an Honorary Membership of Lodge St.John’s, Secunderabad of which Lodge his grand father was an initiate in the year 1915.

I must thank Wor.Bro. S.L.Chitale, Wor.Bro.J.B. Kamdar, and our DGS and D.G.D of C amongst others who in some way or the other helped with the visit of the Grand Lodge Officials.

Another noteworthy event was the completion of the First Phase of commitment on the renovation of the Freemasons’ Hall, Chennai, and we were pleased to be able to hand over in November, the renovated and reconstructed R.G.L. office to the R.G.M. – a good example of our continued co-operation between the two Constitutions, in the maintenance, and we hope mutual enjoyment of this magnificent building. I continue to believe that the building represents the best symbol of our cordial fraternal relations and I fervently hope it ever continues to be so. The District Grand Superintendent of Works

will present the details of the completed works. I thank all those who responded to our appeals for donations to the Masonic Heritage Buildings Trust and can only ask that those who have not yet done so could find it in their hearts to reach for their cheque books as we still have bills to pay on this account. A list of those Lodges whose members have risen to the occasion is given below :

Lodge of Perfect Unanimity No.150 Rs 1,05,500
Lodge of Universal Charity No.273 Rs 48,500
St. John’s Lodge No.434 Rs 1,50,000
Lodge Anchor of Hope No.1093 Rs 12,500
Pitt Macdonald Lodge No.1198 Rs 2,43,000
Lodge of Faith Hope & Charity No.1285 Rs 5,000
John Miller Lodge No.1906 Rs 44,000
Kerala Lodge No.2188 Rs 54,500
Lodge St.George No.2532 Rs 59,000
Lodge Minchin No.2710 Rs 77,500
Golconda Lodge No 3249 Rs 5,000
Lodge Southern Brotherhood No.3311 Rs 13,501
Lodge Cauvery No.3848 Rs 7,000
Lodge Cochin No.4359 Rs 82,000
Archibald Campbell Lodge No.4998 Rs 2,71,000
Lodge Quilon No.5839 Rs 1,57,500

I must, however remind brethren that the task is far from complete. The repairs and renovation to the old DGL Office-cum-Board room and the Annexe Buildings are yet to be taken up in the Second Phase and this, in my view, is equally important, in that it can enhance revenue potential for the Madras Freemasons’ Hall Trust.

The contributory share from Lodges for the use of Temples and Dining Halls constitutes the revenue of this Trust and this is just about sufficient to meet the recurring administration expenses. We need to build up a reasonable surplus as Reserves to meet contingencies and maintenance requirements so that the buildings do not once again fall into disrepair. It would also be prudent to keep the contributory share from Lodges at a level such as not to tax the brethren too much. So, while we are still in the process of collecting donations to meet the bills of the work done till date, we are making bold to finalise plans for the Second Phase of the renovation. The call to our brethren for contribution to the Masonic and Heritage Buildings Trust is therefore still current and I would exhort one and all to give liberally and help this common cause.

GRAND LODGE NEWS:

A perusal of the minutes of the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge held on 11^th June 2003 brings out news of re-recognition of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota on their having voted to withdraw recognition from the irregular Grand Lodge of France. The recognition had been withdrawn in June 2002 because of its decision to recognise the irregular Grand Lodge of France. This information not only keeps brethren of the English Craft abreast of such decisions but also serves to demonstrate Grand Lodge’s strict adherence to the basic principles laid down for recognition of sister Grand Lodges. Brethren should therefore be extremely cautious when visiting lodges of other Constitutions when they travel abroad. It would be necessary to check before hand with Grand Lodge or the District Grand Lodge on such matters.

At the Communication on 1^st September, 2003, M W Pro Grand Master, the Hon. The Marquess of Northampton has made some very important observations in his Address. Referring to the Grand Board’s report on recommendations of the Strategic Working Party which had been reviewing the Royal Arch, M W Pro Grand Master has elaborated on the rationale of the same and trusts that its implementation will give an impetus to the Royal Arch degree. Those of you who attended the District Grand Chapter meeting this morning would have made note of my observations in this regard. Extracts from the address of MW Grand Master on this subject which were part of that speech would throw a lot more light to those interested in the active practice of this ritual. A comprehensive note on this subject received from the Grand Scribe ’E’ is available with the District Office for those interested in its more detailed form.

In his address the M.W. Pro Grand Master has announced the appointment by M W Grand Master of RW Bro Peter Lowndes, PJGW PGDC as successor to RW Bro Iain Bryce, Deputy Grand Master who has expressed a wish to retire.

The Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London has now become a reality and RW Bro Lord Millett PJGW has been installed as the first Metropolitan Grand Master

There has also been a change in the Presidentship of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution. RW Bro Brian Smith having also himself asked to step down, M W Grand Master has appointed VW Bro John Moore PGSwdB in his place.

Some important observations of the President of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys are brought out in a latter part of my speech.

Charity and Relief:

I have time and again been reiterating that utmost importance and priority ought to be given to relief to indigent masons and widows or dependants of masons. I had drawn attention to passages from MW Grand Master’s address emphasising this aspect. Once again, in his Report to the Grand Lodge, VW Bro AJF Stebbings, President of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys (within the Central Masonic Charities) has this to say:

Quote :

"Charity is a fundamental and vitally important part of Masonry. Its practice is a cardinal commitment that we all made on the day of our initiation. Openness demands that we as individuals, and as an organisation make a contribution to the communities in which we live, and to help all members of our society, but we must not let that distract us from the even more important commitment to help our fellow Masons and their dependants in time of need. The four Central Charities, each with its separate and distinct objects are, I believe, the best way that we can pool our resources to discharge that commitment. Each has benefited to a remarkable extent from the generosity of the generations that have gone before us. That has enabled the Charities to take on long-term commitments to our beneficiaries. This generation must not let the side down and undermine our ability to make that commitment. We must pass on to the next generation four of the most significant Charities in the land as we received them and, hopefully, enhanced and strengthened by our endeavours".

Unquote :

As mentioned by me in my last address, while Public Charity projects are welcome and demonstrate to Society at large the laudable objectives of our ancient Institution, it cannot be overemphasised that the need to search out and serve our own indigent brethren or their near and dear ones, is of paramount importance and in fact is at the core of the Order’s existence. I may here inform you that very recently, the daughter of a long-deceased former mason was given emergency assistance by the District Grand Charity for medical treatment which was received with much gratitude and appreciation by her husband. However, the severity of the illness took her away after much suffering. We later discovered that the former Mason was a PATRON of a District Grand Charity in his time. Another instance of one of our own dear brethren who till recently was a jolly Comrade has had the misfortune to have been reduced to the lowest ebb of poverty and distress and it was with shared feelings of sadness that I approved of immediate relief from the District Grand Charity.

I must congratulate the Steward for Masonic Charities for energizing donations to the District Grand Charity Fund and collecting a sum of Rs.1.62 Lakhs during the year and thank all the brethren who responded to his call. As you are aware and as the accounts with you will reveal, considerable amounts are being given away as scholarships for higher technical education and the demand for the same is continuing and will only increase. Brethren should keep this aspect in mind when the next occasion is before them to embrace the opportunity of practising that virtue they have professed to admire.

Cornwallis Home:

The final building permits from the local authorities have now been received and the plans are being given a final shape. In doing so, the Executive Council has been concentrating on keeping the Cost of the Project within certain justifiable limits that would be essentially dictated by the quantum of the Deposits that prospective Residents of the Home would be required to pay. The entire success of the Project without doubt is in the marketability of the dwelling units and this in turn will depend on the financial commitment for a ‘resident’. This important aspect is now being taken care of primarily by spreading the word of the Project around through Associations connected with Senior Citizens, the Rotary movement in Bangalore, the Dignity Foundation etc. The Council is involved very much in the Project with our own District Grand Superintendent of Works looking into the plan details for effective costing etc. Before long, you should be hearing of some of the aspects directly as part of the effort to ascertain the market and "expressions of interest" from possible residents naturally after giving Freemasons and their dependents the first priority for admission.

MASONIC VISITS:

In the last three years since I took over, I have more than fulfilled my promise to visit all the Lodges in my jurisdiction. In fact, in the last two weeks alone I have traversed my jurisdiction from its southern-most tip, Trivandrum, to its northern most point, Hyderabad, in a span of less than a fortnight, attending Masonic Meetings. It has given me great joy to do so, and I can fairly say that I now have a good feel of the pulse of every Lodge in the District – and a very satisfying feeling it is too. However, I am of the view that it is necessary for others to have the opportunity of representing me at Installation Meetings or other important celebrations, so as to be able to share this experience, and indeed to benefit from it.

On the 31^st January 2004, exactly two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending, in response to the invitation of RWRGM of Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India, the Annual Investiture Meeting of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India at Trivandrum. I was accompanied by our DJGW, W Bro Gopal Madhavan, DG Treasurer, W Bro D G Nayar, DGS, W Bro K V Srinivasan and DG Dof C, W Bro B. Balaji Singh. I must personally thank R W Bro Dr.Biswakumar, R W Regional Grand Master and his officers for the courtesies extended to us during our visit.

My journeys have also included the U.K. in October ’03 where I had the pleasure of my first meeting with our Pro Grand Master M.W. Bro. The Marquess of Northampton, the Assistant Grand Master, and the Grand Secretary all of whom spent valuable time with me, while I also visited some Lodges and Chapters in the Provinces of Warwickshire and South Wales Western Dn. The opportunity was taken to renew old Masonic friendships and to make new ones, while introducing some of those gatherings to the highlights of Masonry in the Madras jurisdiction. Masonic visits such as these do tend to re-inforce the feeling of Masonry being indeed Universal. Others from our District, including our Assistant District Grand Master, and Brethren from Lodge Kerala for example have visited Grand Lodge, and experienced, I am sure, similar feelings.

In October last, under the auspices of the District Grand Lodge of Middle East of the Scottish Constitution, the first Asia Pacific Masonic Congress was inaugurated in Bangkok to which our District had also been invited. Our District Grand Treasurer W Bro D G Nayar and District Grand Secretary, W Bro K V Srinivasan agreed to attend this Congress and I had the pleasure of nominating their names on behalf of the District. They had very interesting and inspiring interaction with many masons from the Far East, Middle East, Australia etc. We have been offered the opportunity of hosting the next session of the Congress in 2005 and we are yet to respond. I will be giving my attention to this and shortly approach you for your own responses and suggestions on holding the suggested meeting in this District.

COMPUTERISATION:

We are one of the first Districts in this part of the world to go online with our record-keeping and during the recent visit of the Assistant Grand Master and the Grand Secretary, this initiative was discussed. It is interesting to note that Grand Lodge has also embarked on an ambitious programme of computerisation and the Grand Board has been authorised by an amendment to the Book of Constitutions to permit submission of returns and other information in such electronic format as it may approve. We can be proud of the fact that we are the forerunners in this programme and would in due time be interacting with Grand Lodge for real-time linkage and automatic up-dating of records.

INFORMATION :

While our Website is constantly updated thanks to our W.Bro. H.L. Ratan, the COURIER will also now be re-issued under the stewardship of Bro. S. Shanker of Perfect Unanimity who takes over as Editor from Wor.Bro.George Jayaprakash who did a very good job during his tenure, despite difficult circumstances. We thank them all for their efforts.

PREMISES:

The Premises Committee under the able Chairmanship of W Bro S L Chitale and the active co-operation of the nominees of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India, particularly their Registrar W Bro S Ramasubramanian and Secretary W Bro N Ganesh has been meeting regularly and within its own limitations the Committee has been working to improve the administration of the Freemasons’ Hall and to make meetings of Lodges as comfortable as possible. With the totally new RGL Office now ready for occupation and the two kitchens in operation, the infrastructure at our command should be put to better use for the common benefit of brethren at large. The assistance of the DG Supdt of Works, W Bro V J Bharath through his own professional office in the construction activity and the strict and careful supervision of the Chairman W Bro S L Chitale are to be robustly acknowledged and applauded.

LEGAL SUIT:

Amidst all this good news, I also have to share the unfortunate instance of a few brethren of the Grand Lodge of India having filed a suit for restitution of the failed and rejected Draft MOU on the Freemasons’ Hall at Chennai and asking for the implementation of the

same. In the face of affidavits filed by the Regional Grand Secretary and our District Grand Secretary in the Hon’ble High Court of Madras seeking dismissal of the suit, the same has been admitted for hearing. I myself have been interacting personally with the RW Regional Grand Master in this matter to put up a joint defence as Trustees of the F.M. Hall Trust.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS:

Since the last DGL meeting, I have had the pleasure of attending Installation Meetings of the following lodges:

Lodge St. George No 2532 - 29-09-2003
Archibald Campbell Lodge No 4998 - 29-10-2003
Lodge Southern Brotherhood No 3311 - 24-11-2003
Lodge of Perfect Unanimity No 150 - 09-01-2004
Pitt Macdonald Lodge No 1198 - 13-01-2004
Golconda Lodge No 3249 - 06-02-2004

The following brethren represented me at the installation meetings of the lodges mentioned hereunder:

W Bro G Rangachari John Miller Lodge No 1906 19-11-2003
Lodge Universal Charity No 273 19-12-2003
W Bro B. Balaji Singh St.John’s Lodge No 434 27-12-2003
W Bro K.Chinaswamy Lodge of Rock No 260 03-01-2004
W Bro K.Krishna Pillai Kerala Lodge No 2188 03-01-2004
Lodge Cochin No 4359 24-01-2004
W Bro Dr.K.K.Varma Lodge Quilon No 5839 10-01-2004
W Bro M.A.Chacko Lodge Ampthill No 3682 24-01-2004

The books of these lodges that I myself attended were inspected on my behalf by the following brethren:

W Bro. D.G. Nayar - Lodge St. George No 2532
Lodge of Perfect Unanimity No 150
W Bro V.J.Bharath - Archibald Campbell Lodge No 4998
Pitt Macdonald Lodge No 1198
W Bro J G Masilamani - John Miller Lodge No 1906
W Bro. B. Balaji Singh - Lodge Southern Brotherhood No 3311
W Bro K.V.Srinivasan - Golconda Lodge No 3249

I am thankful to each one of them for the trouble they have taken to travel great distances, in some instances and also for inspecting the books of the respective lodges.

BANNER LODGE:

As I have stated in my opening remarks, the Pitt Macdonald Lodge has always had a flair for the organisation of events and this evening they have more than met our expectations, in fact they have excelled themselves. The initiative and hard work of the W M and brethren of this Lodge are to be recognised and recorded. We thank them profusely for the arrangements as also the Management of the Taj Coromandel Hotel for their special attention to our needs, both formal and festive.

OBITUARY:

Brethren, since we last met the following Brethren of our District have been called to the Grand Lodge above:

W Bro K M Muhammed Kutty, PDG Org, Kerala Lodge No 2188 - 30-08-2003
Bro Renny Abraham, MM, Lodge of Perfect Unanimity No 150 - 05-10-2003
W Bro C Abraham, PDGSW, Lodge Cochin No 4359 - 30-10-2003
W Bro T Pandurang, PDyDG DofC, St.John’s Lodge No 434 - 09-12-2003

We have already conveyed our shared grief 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 .

It now only remains for me to place on record my thanks to the Officers of the District Grand Lodge for their continued support and dedication to their duties. The team consisting of W Bros D G Nayar, B Balaji Singh and K V Srinivasan, respectively the District Grand Treasurer, the District Grand Director of Ceremonies and the District Grand Secretary have been with me in all my endeavours. The ceremonial part of this meeting as well as of those lodges I visited were meticulously taken care of by W Bro Balaji Singh who took the trouble of accompanying me on all my visits. W Bro M A Chacko, Dy DGM and W Bro Dr K K Varma, ADGM have been most helpful in assisting me in representing me at various lodges and at meetings of the District Board and Executive Council and I must place on record my sincere thanks to both of them. At his own request, Wor.Bro. Chacko asked to be relieved of his office as my Deputy for reasons of health. Once again many thanks to Wor.Bro.M..A.Chacko for his services. I am grateful to Wor.Bro.P.Mukundan who has very kindly agreed to step in and assist me in his stead. His continuing devotion to Masonry in general and our District in particular, that despite his chronological age, he is ready to assist me in representations around the District and to undertake travelling which most would consider too arduous, has inspired me to rely on him to step into the breach.

The staff of the District Grand Lodge headed by the Dist Asst Grand Secretary W Bro Jacob Mathew have carried out their duties with care and devotion and I sincerely thank them for the same.

While we miss the presence of R W Bro Dr. Biswakumar the R.W. Regional Grand Master, I must nevertheless thank him for deputing his Dy. RGM to attend this Meeting and reiterate my invitation to him and his deputation to join me and our Brethren at the festive Board to follow.

May I now bid adieu till we meet again at Thanjavur, the cultural capital of Tamilnadu, in August for our Half-Yearly Meeting.

MARCH 2004

Three years in the Chair, and time for introspection. There’s a distinct stirring in the District with almost all Lodges moving in more positive directions from negative distractions and feelings of stagnation.

It takes many more than one – indeed a whole team to attain any goal, and a positive attitude on the part of every one is a prime pre-requisite. Another is to ensure that all our tenets, pious as they are, are translated into actions which will speak louder than words.

Brotherly Love – in action – a resumption of ‘friendly communication’ with our Brethren of the G.L.I. and constant re-inforcements of fraternal feeling by frequent and pleasant inter-actions and the avoidance of any provocative behaviour, real or perceived. Co-operation in the mutual enjoyment of our Headquarters, and to have it restored to its original splendour without necessarily claiming special credits on either side.

Charity – in action – whether to our own Brethren in distress or to Society at large. The commencement this month of the construction of our CORNWALLIS HOME PROJECT for which the earth works will have commenced as you read this message – 3^rd March being the actual date of the launching.

Truth – in action – by establishing credibility in matching words and deeds.

All these are the stirrings I referred to earlier, as the Brethren of the District are beginning to respond in very positive ways to their own administrative necessities, the relations with the District administration, and above all, in their responses to my various and frequent calls for their support in our joint Masonic endeavours.

So I would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to my Masonic Brethren for these positive responses and can only ask that they continue to keep those responses coming.

God Bless!

APRIL 2004

Continuing somewhat on the theme of last Month’s message, and from the recent joy and euphoria even, caused by our sensational win in Lahore in the Cricket One Day series – the power of TEAMWORK cannot be over-emphasised.

We have always had in our country, in various walks of life, brilliant individuals of outstanding talent, and continue to do so. However, it has also been noticeable that while there were these individual attainments and achievements attracting praise and admiration, we were mostly always short of co-ordinated group activity with common goals – which is what TEAMWORK signifies.

In our own Masonic ‘parish’ I have seen this amply demonstrated in the recent past. The admirable progress made recently on our Cornwallis HOME PROJECT was entirely due to the Teamwork of the Executive Council’s Task Force which had to obtain some of the documents of the ownership of the land, get plans approved by two sets of authorities, and set about the task of commencing construction, all done within a period of twelve months – which in our ‘bureaucratic’ environment is some achievement.

Another example was the recently achieved air-conditioning of the smaller dining hall next to the Temple No.3 of Freemasons’ Hall. Lodge Pitt Macdonald, at the February Half Yearly Meeting offered the District a donation of Rs.50,000/-. It was suggested to them that they may consider underwriting the Dining Hall air-conditioning to the extent possible, and they doubled that donation. Another City Lodge, Archibald Campbell, anted up another Rs.50,000/- and we were on our way with commissioning the equipment. A little more is still required for the ancillary facilities in this area, but I am sure that will come from other City Lodges of our fraternity who are the ones who will use this dining facility the most. Moreover, the air-conditioning design and equipment is being supplied by a Brother of our Sister Constitution – GLI – as was the case in the earlier supply and commissioning of our kitchen equipment. Shows we can all work together to achieve a common purpose.

Well Done Teams whether in the Cricketing or the Masonic fraternity!

MAY 2004

Having been both a student, and sometime practitioner of both Cricket and Management, I cannot fail to make the cross-over connection between the two, particularly in the aftermath of the recent successes of the Indian cricket team.

The recent resurgence of our cricket team reinforces the relevance of a few cardinal tenets of organization and management. Clear objectives, sound strategies, focused and supportive leadership, a team structure with not only a balance of skills in the field, but also much better supporting infrastructure in training, sports medicine, and even psychological inputs.

From a collection of gifted individuals, in the last few years, a confident team has been forged, and as Navjot Siddhu often repeats the old saw that the whole is always greater than just the sum of its parts. A point, subtle to some, was made when the acting Captain Dravid declared at Multan, when the great icon was a few runs short of his double century – i.e. that the team’s objective comes first.

This leads us to another truism, often forgotten, though – that the Institution is greater than any individual. Individuals are at best birds of passage, however gifted, but the Institution is the permanent repository of all the many contributions made by the individuals connected with it.

And so in Masonry – the allegory re-inforces and reminds !

JUNE 2004

A VOTE FOR ELECTION MANAGEMENT

As Masons we are enjoined strictly to avoid any subject of political discussion, and it is certainly not my intention to flout this perfectly sensible admonition.

However, any student of management cannot but be astounded by the fact of 600 million enrolled voters, exercising their democratic franchise, and being closely monitored in these exertions with verdicts being handed down in a matter of days. Although for reasons of providing adequate security to the various processes of vote-casting the exercise was spread over a few weeks, the collation and declaration of results was done over a mere two days.

To the administration, and the Election Commission of India we should offer our congratulations in carrying out so efficiently the magnificent exercise over a whole sub-continent involving such a large number of constituents.

Someone had suggested in the media that the Election Commissioner should be nominated for the NOBEL PEACE PRIZE which would not be a less than worthwhile recommendation.

It shows that as Managers of events involving crisis proportion there are few that can beat our Indian administrators or Managers!

The organization by small host-lodges of our Masonic District level gatherings is, of course, another shining example of this skill.

JULY 2004

LISTEN!

It has been acknowledged the World over that we of this country are great exponents of both the spoken and the written word. In keeping with the articulate nature of human kind generally, we learn to talk at a very tender age, move on to the written word a little later, and then enter a garrulous phase, mostly, which never ends.

Many years ago, I took a seminar on communication with a learned Professor from one of the Ivy League U.S. halls of learning who was seconded to one of our then infant Institutes of Management. By way of conversation I asked him what his abiding impressions on the communication abilities of Indians were after his sojourn of about three years in the country. His prompt answer was that Indians had the unique ability of talking and listening at the same time!

What he meant to convey was that our capacity for listening was in no way commensurate with our capacity for talking. In fact, if one of a couple in conversation is silent, he is not really listening, but waiting for an opportunity to take over the conversation. In fact, the age-old admonition to us when we were children, not to interrupt when someone was talking, has as adults been converted to say don’t talk while I am interrupting!

I have noticed therefore that we have difficulty in understanding questions, as we rush off to provide answers before we understand, by really listening, to the question being posed. This happens all the time even in work-a-day life, whether you are in a shop, in an office, in a class-room, or even in a sophisticated quiz contest!

I can assure you that I know because I had to teach myself to listen, to actively listen in all my transactions with other fellow beings, which has greatly increased my own knowledge and development. I am still working on it!

As Men and Masons, much would be gained by us, likewise, from active listening to our rituals, and thereby to understand their symbolisms and meanings relevant to our lives. To listen is to empathise, to be receptive, to be concerned about the message! To listen to your conscience, or inner voice is also morally essential. So do Listen!

AUGUST 2004

FIRE FIGHTING

With the recent tragedies and the horrible visuals of the consequences of fire, we need no more reminders about our total ineptitude to enforce available safety statutes, excepting where officialdom needs to harass citizens to be compliant to their demands, rather than for compliance with the law.

It has been observed that we are great Crisis Managers, and that to manage we need a crisis, as we appear incapable of being pro-active, and can only be re-active. Almost 90% of our structures are fire hazards, with inflammability built into them, poor or non-existent fire-safety systems or drills, and no designated fire escapes. More people are killed in the stampede that follows a fire alarm, because of the paucity of appropriate exits – our cinema theatres are a good example – than are by the fire itself.

In our own Masonic buildings, one has constantly to remind Brethren and Caretakers of the need to be frequently monitoring the availability and disposition of fire fighting equipment, the separation and removal of combustible material, the appropriate security of electrical installations and the myriad other considerations of protecting ourselves from the devastation that a fire can cause. Equally even in domestic kitchens the proximity of spare gas cylinders to exposed fire and heat, the lack of easily accessible fire extinguishers, and alarm systems, is noticeable. No one bothers until it is too late and the blame-game then starts, and regrettably does not result in any amelioration of the situation – the tragedies are soon forgotten, particularly if they are at arms length, and the same deficiencies in fire security remain, unattended.

As we are to meet shortly in Thanjavur in the neighbourhood of the recent school fire tragedy, one can’t help but remember those poor little children who paid the price of adult negligence and irresponsibility – May their tiny Souls rest in peace, the injured ones recover, and the more mature ones responsible, repent at leisure!

SEPTEMBER 2004

MERITOCRACY

Much has been said about the ethos of the Olympics over the recent weeks and months but for me one over-riding singularity of the Olympics stands out – it is a meritocracy.

Although external influences and so-called substances have attempted to bolster and improve performances, at the end of the day, Sport as a meritocracy has to win – meaning that the innate ability of the athlete or sportsman has to prevail. You cannot be any artificial means foist a Carl Lewis or a Sachin Tendulkar on to the podium of medalists and match-winners. Truth and Talent will out.

If this hypothesis is granted, and there can be no gainsaying it, then we must give the administration of sport the kind of supervisors who are qualified to recognize merit and talent in a given area of athletic activity, and more importantly to support and nurture such talent!

We then have to ask ourselves the question whether such an administration is available to us, before we go on to discuss why a country of a billion people cannot yet boast of a single Gold Medal. Carrying this thought over to other administrations even such as ours, we must always keep trying to discover merit where available, and to support and encourage it. To discourage merit by sins of omission and commission is to destroy the potential for organisational achievement, and this is particularly why Masonry at all levels recognizes merit. The word itself recurs over and over again in our ritual and discourses, for good reason.

In whatever walk of life we find ourselves, let us recognize and reward Merit so that little meritocracies are widely spread over our social landscape. The Olympic spirit can be carried over into other spheres and walks of life in general – the Olympic rings also symbolises that.

OCTOBER 2004

THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

As Freemasons, we are made aware from the very moment we are initiated into the Order that Charity is the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason’s heart. Charity is not just the giving of money – it is an attitude, a spirit that should constantly motivate us. Charity is also, more importantly the sharing and giving of TIME, not just the flash of a cheque book or wallet but being available to share moments of distress with another. Misery may love company but rarely gets it!

In the past, Charity and charitable activities appeared generally to be the preserve or the concern of those at the end of their working lives when they turned from work-a-day concerns to more contemplative pursuits and charitable actions. This was perhaps due to affluence gathered over the passage of career years, and thereby the acquisition of the wherewithal to practise philanthropy. However with the new Knowledge Economies becoming more prevalent, affluence appears to arrive earlier in careers, resulting in philanthropic potential also being available to relatively younger people.

Equally the ageing population grows larger in numbers, and increases the avenues for practicing philanthropy, particularly in the care of the old and ageing, more especially in countries such as ours. Sadly, while the philanthropic potential in terms of money is growing, the potential particularly for the giving of comfort and the overall sharing of TIME is reducing at an alarming rate.

In these developments lie the challenge for all of us, especially Freemasons, obligated as we are in a Brotherhood which is based on Relief, apart from the pursuit of Truth. Charity, therefore, in its broadest sense, both in the acts of giving Time and Money should be, as always, the guiding spirit of our lives. In spotting talent for induction, we should always look out for this spirit of giving and a Charitable disposition, as later exemplified and emphasised in our rituals.

From time to time, our Masonic administration will place before you what we hope are innovative ways in which we can increase and exploit our potential for philanthropy, and we hope these will have your sincere and close attention in ensuring Charity in action and embodying the spirit of giving and reinforcing above all, the purposes of FREEMASONRY

NOVEMBER 2004

MASONRY UNIVERSAL

We know that our Brotherhood is widely dispersed over the four corners of the Globe, and by and large are closely imitiative of the practices and ambience associated with it. We, therefore, feel a familiarity with the proceedings of a Meeting or a festive Board even when attending recognised Lodges abroad, and the cocoon of warmth they provide our Brethren on overseas visits.

I am of the view that this fraternal attachment and ambience needs to be built upon actively by the popularising of inter-jurisdictional visits between Brethren of recognized affiliations, so that through the Brotherhood, cultural exchanges can be strengthened. In fact we should develop ‘Masonic Tourism’ not only to encourage exchanges between members of our fraternity, but afford opportunities to visit sites of Masonic and other more general significance. These kind of exchanges would satisfy a good cross-section of our membership’s desire for travel and Masonic understanding, and thereby enlarge their interest in Masonry in general. Of course, remember to check with our Masonic authorities about which Lodges are recognized by our Grand Lodge and which not, before making plans to visit.

‘Twinning’ arrangements could be organised between say Round Table Lodges here and abroad, between Provinces and Districts with traditional associations such as in the Provinces of Sussex and Essex with Madras, where a large number of India - hands earlier sought retirement. What about Masonic Cricket and Golfing Holidays, with matches played in either jurisdiction in alternate years.

If globalisation has affected other parts of our society and economy, one does not see that Masonry can be exempted from its influences. Travel they say broadens the mind, and Masons may find that it also deepens their understanding of our unique fraternity.

So let’s have Masonry Universal expressed with our feet, temporarily of course, in other words, let us extend the cable tow somewhat, and have the points of fellowship correspond to the points of the compass, masonically speaking.

DECEMBER 2004

THE FESTIVE SEASON

This is the time of year, in the eleventh and twelfth month of the calendar that we are in a sense overcome by Festivals, Dassera, Deepavali, Id and Christmas, followed of course by the ‘New Year’ celebrations.

It is also a time of conspicuous consumption, driven by a frenzy of advertising to relieve celebrants of their savings, past and future. In times past what were essentially family occasions, and family celebrations have now spilled over into the public domain, including in them, business associates, public servants, customers and so on.

Therefore it is also a time when those outside the pale, in poorer circumstances, can feel more dis-advantaged and left out, of the beating of the commercial drums and the fireworks, experiencing the flames of hunger while their more blessed compatriots burn their money.

In addition to all these occasions, the Greeting Card industry has now sponsored all kinds of days, for gifts and greetings for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day and all sorts of other occasions of expenditure, so we have a year-full of opportunities to consume.

One does not wish to sound like a spoil-sport, but to draw the attention of our fraternity while celebrating to spare a thought for those in need, the un-supported child, the sick, the elderly and the poorer fellow human being.

Some communities do indeed set apart a certain allocation for Charity on these festive and other occasions, but one wonders whether our fraternity should consider making such a commitment, particularly during this period.

On that note, and with sincere and warm greetings to all our Brethren and their families during this season of peace and goodwill, I close this last Message for the year 2004 with best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Prosperous New Year.