My Dear Brethren,

My fraternal greetings to you on this historic occasion when our region has reached the golden landmark of fifty years. I wish each one of you a very happy and memorable anniversary. Many masonic centres in the southern region are having commemorative meetings to remember this important event. It is  a matter of great happiness that all the 129 Lodges of our region are doing some charity programme on this day. This day will go down in our  history as thanks giving day when Free Masons everywhere will be practicing that great ideal we all believe as the distinguishing character of each one of us. Long live our fraternity.  May the principles of Brotherly Love,  Relief and Truth be transmitted through this great organisation from generation to generation.

My brethren, After the inauguration of the Grand Lodge of India at Delhi on the 24th November 1961, Masons throughout the four regions were eagerly looking forward to the inauguration of their respective Regions. The Masons of the Southern states were filled with joy and jubilation, that they could witness the birth of a Masonic Region, a unique occasion. Most Worshipful the Grand Master,  H. H. Maj. Gen. Dr. Sir. Syed Raza Ali Khan, Nawab of Rampur deputed R. W. the Dy. Grand Master R. W. Bro. Bhogilal C. Shah, to inaugurate the Regional grand Lodge of Southern India and to Install the Regional Grand Master.

The inauguration function was planned and executed meticulously with the minutest detail taken into account to ensure maximum comfort to the brethren, and absolute order and   decorum for  the conduct of business. The Freemasons Hall at Egmore was given a facelift and was well decorated for the occasion.

       The historic  meeting started at  6.00 p.m.  after  R.W. Bro. Bhogilal C. Shah,  R. W. the Dy.Grand Master accompanied by the Grand Officers entered in procession.

       The pro tem Regional Grand Lodge was opened  in due form with R. W. Bro. P. M. Sundaram as Dy.  Regional Grand Master.

       R. W. Bro. Bhogilal C. Shah Dy Grand Master was saluted with nine.

       R. W. Bro. T.V. Muthukrishna Iyer, District Grand Master of Madras was received in the  customary manner and saluted.

R. W. the Deputy Grand Master then briefly detailed the formation and inauguration of the Grand Lodge of India and the Installation of  H. H. Maj. Gen. Dr. Sir. Syed Raza Ali Khan, Nawab of Rampur as Grand Master on the 24th November 2011.  R. W. the Dy. Grand Master in  his inaugural address extolled the brethren to serve the Grand lodge of India faithfully, zealously and conscientiously and to promote its interests to the best of their skill and ability.

       He then proceeded to Install the first Regional Grand Master of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India.

After the patent of Appointment was scrutinised by the Installing Officer, R. W. Bro. Rao Bahadur Sarukkai Tiruvenkita  Srinivasa Gopala Chari, Regional Grand Master Designate was escorted to the Lodge  with a suitable deputation. After the patent of Appointment was read out  in open Lodge and after the customary prayer invoking the assistance of The Supreme Governor of the Universe, R. W. Bro  Rao Bahadur S. T. Srinivasa Gopala Chari was Installed as the first Regional Grand Master of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India. R. Rao Bahadur S. T. Srinivasagopala Chari saw the light of Freemasonry in Lodge Rock No. 260 E.C., Tiruchirapally on the 27th October 1908. He was a founder member of Lodge Justitia No. 82 GLI of which he became Worshipful Master  in 1914.  He has held the office of District Grand Secretary of the District Grand Lodge of Madras for over 25 years before he was appointed as the Dy. District Grand Master.

 W. Bro. Dr. M. N. Mahadevan  the Deputy Regional Grand Master, Bro. M. M. A. Navas  the Assistant Regional Grand Master and the rest of the officers  were then Installed by the
Regional Grand  Master.

       Out of the 31 Foundation Lodges 26 Lodges were represented at this meeting with over 250 brethren in attendance. Lodge Santhi No.146 consecrated on the same day morning was also represented.

       As on the day of Inauguration, the Southern Region had 32 Lodges with a total strength of 1694 brethren.

The Regional Grand Chapter of Southern India was inaugurated by M.E. Comp. Lt. Col. Sir. Harold Williams on 21st December 1963  and he Installed  E. Comp. S. T. Srinivasa Gopala Chari as the Grand Superintendent of the Southern Region.

The Regional Grand Mark Lodge was inaugurated on the 6th March 1965 and R. W. Bro. S. T. Srinivasa Gopala Chari was Installed as the Regional Grand Mark Master.

       The following Regional Masters ruled the Region

       1968-70         R. W. Bro. C. A. Ramakrishna OSM, P. Dy. G. M.
       1971-74         M.W. Bro. Chief Justice. K. Veeraswami OSM PGM
       1974-77         R. W. Bro. Justice T. Ramaprasad Rao  OSM, P.Dy. G.M
       1978-83         R. W. Bro. A. S. Rajasabhai OSM. P. Dy. G. M
       1984-86         R. W. Cavalier. G. K. Devarajalu OSM, P. Dy. G. M
       1987-89         R. W. Bro. V. Rajaendran OSM, P. Dy. G. M
       1990-92         M. W. Bro. K. L. Reddi  PGM
       1993-95         R. W. Bro. D. Dhorrairaj P Dy. G. M
       1996-98         R. W. Bro. K. R. Rajasekharan Nayar OSM, P. Dy. G. M
       1999-2001     M. W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth OSM, PGM
       2002-04         M. W. Bro. Capt. Dr. Balaram Biswakumar OSM, M.W. the G.M
       2005-07         R. W. Bro. G. K. Selvaraj P. Dy. G. M.
       2008-10         R. W. Bro. Varanasi Narasimham P. Dy. G. M
       2011-             R. W. Bro. Retna Raj Sushil Raj. PAGM

       The Region can boast of a number of permanent charitable projects, rendering yeomen service to the community.

       There are now 129 Lodges with a total membership over 8000.

       Our Region tops in membership, in per capita contribution to the Grand Lodge of India, and in the gross amount spend on charities.

May the GAOTU bless you and keep you well.

With fraternal regards

Sushil
Regional Grand Master