MW the Grand Master M.W.Bro.Capt.Dr.Balaram Biswakumar OSM, M.W. Bro.H.P.Mathur OSM,   R.W.Bro.Rajeev Ramakrishna Khandelwal, R.W. The RGM of the RGL of W.I., R.W.Bro. Raja Mookerjhee, R.W.The RGM of E.I., R.W.Bro.Kumar Ravindranath Menon, The DGM of the DGL of Madras, PRGMs, RW Brn, V.W.Brn, W.Brn and Brn. All

Welcome to Thanjavur , the cultural & architectural capital of ancient India The rice bowl of the south, a town of richness & plenty. Rich in architecture, in history, in culture, and loving brethren. For Freemasons , this town has the most important edifice ,the temple to Lord Brihadeeswara, built by the renowned Chola king Raja Raja Cholan, which was completed exactly one thousand and one years ago. It is first temple in our country to be completely built with granite stone.   As we have all gathered here, for the first time for an RGL meeting, let not one of you fail to pay obeisance to this super structure which stands tall as a monument for that stone masonary  and the ancient stone masons of this great country.

MW The Grand Master, I welcome you sir, for this Half yearly meeting and thank you for your presence. I welcome M.W. Bro H.P.Mathur  PGM ,  the two RGM’s , who have travelled long distances to be here with us, and a very special welcome to a distinguished visitor R.W.Bro.KRN Menon ,the DGM of the DGL of Madras. I welcome the PRGM’s and each one of you for being here with us this evening  

The first half of my tenure has been quite an encouraging one. The warmth, love and affection of the brethren saw that I could visit all the 15 areas of my vast region and attend meetings in 32 Lodges.  I can proudly report to you all, that all the areas are doing extremely well and the ARGM’s  are excelling in their office. I thank them and the brethren for the good work done.

The growth in membership has been very encouraging. From the half yearly returns received from 61 Lodges, 133 new brethren have joined our assemblies this year. With 45 joining members, the total membership now stands at 9243.   Many seminars and workshops were organised to put more masonry into our brethren. These programs regularly conducted by all the areas, has kept them very active.

My visits to the Lodges were a great celebration as majority of the meetings were for LTS jewel presentations. One 60-year jewel, 4 -50 year jewel and many 40 and 25 year jewels has taken the medal tally to 66 in the Craft, in this first 6 months. With the two25 years LTS jewels presented today the total is 68. As the Grand Lodge, followed by our Region complete 50 years of existence in this country, let us salute these brethren who have been pillars of strength to our fraternity and seen it grow to this great strength in the past 50 years.

The region is doing excellently well in charities, in every walks of life. We can be proud that a Freemasons’ charity   happens every day in some part of the region. Every Lodge is doing their might in assisting and supporting those who deserve our favour. But the greatest of them all, you all guessed right, “The Jyotirgamaya.”

The Jyotirgamaya project launched by the Grand Lodge of India on this Golden Jubilee year has really lit up the lives of thousands of village dwellers in the remotest part of the country. The vision of our MW GM , has brought not only lights into the lives of these people, but given them a path to brighten the future of each one of them. We have completed 10 projects in our region and lit up 6 villages till date. Many more projects are awaiting completion. I thank the Lodges who have sponsored these villages and the ARGM’s, who have been a great force behind them. The contribution from the Southern region is the highest and has crossed a whopping sum of 66lakhs. My dear brethren I thank you very sincerely for your love and generosity. You definitely live in the hearts of these villagers who pour their heart out when we trek miles into the jungles to brighten their lives.

The first stage of the Ritual Working Competitions were successfully conducted and completed and I congratulate all the Lodges who took part and my best wishes to those who have been selected to the second stage.

This morning we had a session where the Master masons assembled where informed about the need and importance of joining the higher degrees. I trust it must have had the necessary impact of motivation. There was a quiz competition whose winners have already been recognised.

As we enter the Golden Jubilee year of the Region, the Regional Grand board has decided to introduce a Regional level Quiz competition which will be conducted in the second half of this year. The ARGM’s will be in charge of conducting them in the Lodge and area levels. R.W.Bro.Prof. Kesava Rao will be Chief coordinator for this program. The rules and method of conducting the competition will be intimated to the Lodges shortly.  
The Mason South has already brought out two issues in the first half and its new look and contents has gained the appreciation of the brethren. I thank the editor, for his sincere efforts. The web site of the region has also been regularly updated and I must commend the good work done by the web master.

Brethren we are bound in this fraternity by one word, Love. Love for our creator and Love for our neighbour. This is not only our motto, but it is also our belief. We believe in the Almighty’s love which sees us through every day and night and the brotherly love which makes every moment we spend in this world memorable. From various walks of life, we walk blindly into this fraternity to experience a new bond of brotherhood. We walk in empty handed willing to undergo any ritual to get a place into the hearts of men who prize honour and virtue above the external advantages of rank and fortune. But as days go by and as we age in this organisation, we forget the basic tenets and its principles which attracted us into it. My appeal to each one of you is to, please forgive and forget the small misgivings of your brethren and get along in harmony and peace. Never forget that you are never to palliate and aggravate the offences of any brother. Please reprehend with mercy. Let us remember that great teaching” He that is without sin amongst you let him first cast the stone”.  I am sure that if each one remembers the charges of the degrees you have crossed through, the attendance in our assemblies would improve and Freemasons will make this world a better place to live in.

I thank the Brethren of Lodge Goodwill & Peace, Thanjavur for coming forward to host this RGL ably assisted by the brethren of Tirichirapalli. You will all agree that for a town with just one Lodge these brethren have done a great job. Brethren please commend the efforts of these brethren with a loud acclamation. I must thank the RGL secretariat for the excellent support and cooperation they have given me, in discharging the duties of my office. In fact the total number of Lodges visited by me are 61 and LTS jewels presented are 115. This would not have been possible without their support.

MW The Grand Master & brethren,
Thank you.