DGM's Message

DGM's Messages

2009

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RW DGM' s MESSAGE FOR AUGUST 2009

MASONIC BUSINESS

After the Masonic hiatus of our summer in South India, we have a deluge of fraternal activities, all as eagerly awaited as the Monsoon and not as likely to play truant.

I have been traveling in consequence, at the end of last month to Visakhapatnam (Vizag) and Kolkata, to the former for the consecration of a Rose Croix Chapter, and to the latter city for the Half-Yearly Meeting of the District of Bengal to which R.W.Bro.Iqbal Ahmed the RWDGM had graciously invited me.

As you read this message, I shall perhaps be in Hyderabad-Secunderabad, where my District is holding its Half-Yearly on the 8th of this month and at which I will be addressing our Brethren, in extenso, on various subjects of jurisdictional relevance, masonically speaking.

In Vizag about 20 Brethren attended and were perfected at the consecration of Rose Croix Chapter No.23 under the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree for India, the ceremony being conducted by Most Puissant Bro. D.D. Udeshi 33º with other members of the Supreme Council assisting him. This is a Degree in which we have Brethren of all Constitutions participating which makes it a very eclectic brotherhood, offering opportunities for commingling with the various streams of freemasonry.

In Kolkata, we had for the first time, at the initiative of our Host, R.W.Bro. Iqbal Ahmed, three of the District Grand Masters in India attending a Convocation, and taking the opportunity of sharing experiences at a separate meeting.

Hospitality in all three places have added weight not only to our camaraderie but to our waist-lines as well, for the festive Boards which are an essential part of our Conclaves, are not to be denied. A strict regimen of exercise and diet control will surely follow to overcome these excesses and to get us ready for the next cycle of fellowship ! However, Temperance is our watch word !

In Hyderabad / Secunderabad 200 Freemasons of our District have registered as at writing for our Half-Yearly Meeting and I am sure we shall have the average number of attendees of around 325 Masons achieved when we meet. For some fresh initiates this will be a first experience, of attending a District Meeting, and I have noticed that it never fails to impress the first-timer, enough anyway, to exert a pull on the Brother to make it a regular feature of his Masonic Calendar in the ensuing years.

From wherever one sits there is no grander sight than an assemblage of formally attired Freemasons at an official gathering such as a District Meeting. From where I sit, it is a humbling vision !

May we continue to gather in numbers in the cause of peace, good order, friendship and benevolence – above all, in Benevolence and Charity.