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M.W. The Grand Master, M.W.Bro. Justice Devinder Gupa, R.w. Bro. Vasudev Masurekar, RW RGM of Western India, R.W. Bro. S.Krishnan, RWRGM of Northern India, R.W.Bro. Sisir kumar Ghosh, RWRGM of Eastern India, Our visiting leaders from English constitution, W.Bro. Dr.K.Kartikeya Varma, Dy. District Grand Master, District Grand Lodge of Madras, Respected Past Grand Masters, M.W.Bro. Dilip Udeshi and M.W.Bro. Arun Chintopanth, RW Brethren, V.W Brethren, W.Brethren and My dear Brethren,
MW the Grand Master, I am indeed grateful to you for the confidence reposed in me and for having appointed me as the Regional grand master of the southern region. I am also thankful to you sir, for sparing your valuable time to be here amidst us and installing me.
I am indeed touched by the love and affection that had been showered on me by the gracious and warm presence of all of you on this Annual Investiture meet at Visakhapatnam.
I extend a hearty and warm welcome to this wonderful city of Vizag, where people are very affectionate, warm hearted, Peace loving, Extremely hospitable, always eager to befriend people, clear minded and rich in human values. The City of Destiny, as Visakhapatnam is known as, is a haven for people who would like to comfortably settle in life without hassles, who are loking for greener pastures in their occupation and those who are looking for happiness and prosperity in their lives. Vizag had always proved lucky for millions of people who have come here. May I once again extend a very hearty and warm welcome to this City of Visakhapatnam.
Brethren, I always feel indebted to three people who had a great impact on my Masonic life. The first and foremost is none other than our MW The Grand Master , M.W. Bro. Justice Devinder Gupta, Having served as the Grand Director of Ceremonies with him, I had an opportunity to have a very close interaction with him and that gave me a chance to learn a lot of things from him. The first thing I learnt is the Humility and Docility. We have already heard in our rituals that humility and docility are sure indications of merit and I am sure no one will have an iota of doubt about it once you see our M.W.Brother. Despite coming from a very distinguished and reputed family and having occupied highest positions in judiciary, and now occupying the highest office as the Grand Master, he is accessible to every one. Even a young entered apprentice can straight walk to him and talk with equal liberty.
I am fortunate to have been chosen by him to work with him as the Regional grand Master of The Southern Region. I am grateful to you sir, for appointing me and also installing me in this chair
Another great mason who has an undoubted influence on me is, you can all guess, M.W.Bro. Arun Chintopanth. Perhaps I had the longest stint with him as the Director of Ceremonies. Three years at the Region and Three years at the Grand Lodge of India. I learnt a great deal during my close association with him.
Brethren, you must have heard about the car driver of the renowned scientist, Albert Einstein, who by virtue of his accompanying Einstein, in most of his technical meetings, acquired as much knowledge that, at one occasion, when Einstein was not well and could not attend, the chauffer himself went and handled a technical session in the absence of Einstein. Having had such close association with MW Bro. Arun, at times, I feel I am also as authentic to speak on Mullah naseeruddin.
I feel honored and fortunate to move so closely with this great Freemason. He had picked me up as a rough ashlar from this north east corner of our Southern Region and laid foundation for my active Masonic career. He used to guide me at every stage of the ceremonies, chide me when I faltered , never sparing any let down or lapse. He never tolerated even the slightest mistake on my part and that gave me a very unique experience which, I am sure one should envy. I always took his admonition with humility and tried to do my best. That made me today, I would not say perfect but , I hope you all would agree, a good ashlar. I am ever indebted to you sir, for all the care you have taken in moulding me.
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Our just immediate past Regional Grand Master, RW Bro. G.K. Selvarajan is just like my elder brother. Ever since I took up the office of Dy. Regional Grand Director of Ceremonies, while he was the Regional Grand Director of Ceremonies, I was closely watching his steps and followed on. He was constantly advising me on many things at every step including the ceremonies, procedures, protocol pactices etc. etc.. Thank you my brother, I will continue to look forward to your assistance.
Brethren, I stand before you with all humility and gratitude as the fourteenth Regional Grand Master of this Mighty Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India. While taking the Eastern Chair of this worthy and worshipful Regional Grand Lodge, I am aware and conscious that the Region had been lead by many eminent Freemasons of high standards and extraordinary administrative capabilities. I may not match their standing but I assure you that I will not fail in any of my efforts in carry out the duties and work with my utmost sincerity to lead the Region.
Brethren, Many of you must have received the regional grand ranks this year as well. Let me tell you that I burnt midnight oil for many days to make the best possible judgment in awarding the ranks, for about two thousand brethren. While I worked with utmost sincerity, I might have unintentionally missed some brethren. I request those Brethren to bear with me. As a young past master of my mother lodge University, I always aspired to become an ARGM, and could never become one, till date.
Brethren let me assure you that these ranks give us only a momentary pleasure. But a true freemason always seeks eternal happiness. That happiness can come only from the innerself and not from the external pleasure. There is subtle difference between happiness and pleasure.
A group of audiencewere once asked the following question:
At the Olympics, after the gold medal winner, who is happier?
- The silver medal winner
- The Bronze medal winner
Then the responses from the audience were drawn. Some picked the silver medal winner. Some picked the bronze. Occasionally someone chooses the coach or even the audience. One participant shouted out, "The sponsors!"
The correct answer is that the bronze medal winner tends to be happier than the silver medal winner, you will understand the answer. The silver medal winner could have got the gold but he missed
While, the bronze medal winner is clinging to his medal as if it was the edge of a cliff overlooking the abyss of nobodyhood. He is thinking, "Oh thank God I made it. I almost missed out on a medal, but at least I'm an Olympic medalist." This is the secret of happiness Happiness is an emotion in which one experiences the feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense joy. This definition is, however, a synonymous one. A more clarified one is almost impossible to conceive due to the variation in the conception of every individual in describing happiness. Thanks to the advanced technologies, Happiness, I understand can also be measured in terms of physiological reactions.
It is observed that short-term gratification, while briefly generating happiness, often gets nullified with negative repercussions in the long run..Various branches of philosophy, as well as some religious movements, suggest that "true" happiness can exist only in the long run.
Explanation of happiness in mystical traditions, especially in advanced spiritual techniques is related to full balance of so called inner energy lines. Happiness forms a central theme of Buddhist teachings and the Eightfold Path that will lead its practitioner to Nirvana, a state of everlasting peace and happiness. In this teaching, happiness is only achieved by overcoming desire in all forms. The philosophy of Freemasonry also encourages the generation of compassion, the desire for the happiness and well being of others.
The Great social reformer and writer from coastal Andhra, Gurajada appa rao said “ Ask Not the country what it has given you, Ask yourself what you are going to give to the Country” .
My dear Brethren, Freemasonry is a Universe of Brotherhood. Let us think and pledge ourselves once again to serve this great Organisation of the World, serving which is serving Humanity. Serving humanity is Serving God. And serving God gives eternal peace and happiness.
My Brethren, I once again thank each and every one of you for traveling long distances and taking so much of trouble to participate in Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India meet. The Organising committee has taken utmost pains to see that the meetings go well and keep all of you in comfort and make your stay at Visakhapatnam memorable. They did not leave any stone unturned and put their best effort and time under the leadership of R.W. Bro. K. Ramabrahmam. Every Brother of Vizag took it as their own family function worked with such love and zeal, I am afraid, no words can describe. I am really touched by their love and affection, which I always enjoyed during my entire masonic career. That is the hallmark of Vizag Freemasons.
The Registrations have come in large numbers, has crossed 800 mark, which includes more than 200 numbers as Patrons. The registration committee chairman has done an excellent job. Not only him, each and every committee chairman did his best and excelled in his sphere of work.
Brethren, I have provided a new e mail id, which an exclusive, confidential and personal id of your new Regional grand master. Any Brother who wishes to reach me for any suggestions regarding any masonic matter can reach me directly on this e mail id , which is rgmrglsi@gmail.com . It will be strictly confidential and will be seen only by me. Please use it for mutual benefit and request the Brethren not to misuse or abuse. I have come out with this novel idea, the success of which will solely depend on all of you.
My Brethren, I will be failing in my duty if I do not mention the rest. I received such warmth and concern from the Brethren, all over the region, calls and letters poured in to express their solidarity and support. I do seek the Blessings from elders and good wishes from all the Brethren in carrying out my herculean task ahead. My Thanks are due to MW Bro Arun Chintopanth and M.W. Bro. Justice Devinder Gupta, MW The Grand Master, who gave me the unique and exclusive opportunity to serve as the Grand Director of Ceremonies. That gave me a chance to make many friends across the country , from Bombay to the farthest Shillong, from Trivandrum to the peaks of Shimla. A very good number of our Brethren from all over have taken lot of trouble to come and participate in these festivities. I am greatly touched by their affection and will ever cherish their fraternal love and concern.
I also express my gratitude to M.W.Bro. Dilip Udeshi and M.W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth, our revered Past Grand Masters for giving us their gracious presence at this meeting.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to my illustrious predecessors, RW Bro. V. Rajendran, RW Bro. D.Dhorairaj, RW Bro. KR Rajasekharan Nayar and RW Bro. Dr. B. Biswakumar for having taken time and trouble to be here with us.
I am thankful to my good friend, once my junior and now my senior, R.W. Vasudev Masurekar, RW The Regional grand master of Western India, and the Brethren from western Region accompanying him for being present and gave us the pleasure.
I am thankful to R.W.Bro. S.Krishnan, RW The Regional Grand Master of Northern India and the Brethren from Northern Region accompanying him for their presence.
I am also thankful to our Dada, R.W.Bro. Sisir Kumar Ghosh, R.W.The Regional grand Master of Eastern Region for his love and affection in being here with all of us. I also thank the Brethren from Eastern Region who are here in large contingent which is an indication of their abundant love towards us.
I am also thankful to W.Bro. Dr. K.Kartikeya Varma, the Deputy District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Madras for being with us along with the members of his deputation.
M.W.Grand Master, I once again express my deep sense of gratitude for reposing confidence and installing me in the chair of the Regional grand lodge of southern India. I am ever grateful to you and assure you that I will put my best efforts to lead the Region to your expectations and the high aspirations of the Brethren of the Region. I look forward to the guidance of every one present here. My dear Brethren of the Southern Region, It is only with the support of every one of you that our Region can prosper and grow from strength to strength. May the great almighty ever shower his blessings on our Region and all of Freemasonry wheresoever it is dispersed.
Thank you My Brethren.
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