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File No.530 Circular No.64/13		June 3,2009
To All daughter Lodges, i) Lodges 1 to 79 which have completed 100 years or more and Lodge No.80 and 81 which are due to complete 100 years in another few months. ii) Lodges 82 to 138 which have completed 50 years, or more. iii) Lodges 139 to 145 and 148 the remaining Lodges which existed prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge ofIndia and opted to join the Grand Lodge of India. iv) Lodges 146 to 364 (except 148) which were Consecrated after the formation of the Grand Lodge of India. Dear Sir and V.W./W.Brother,
Subject:- Compilation of the History of Freemasonry in India
Having been Consecrated on 24th November, 1961, Grand Lodge of India is due to celebrate its Golden Jubilee in November 2011. It is proposed to observe the entire year November 2011 to November 2012 as the Golden Jubilee Year of the Grand Lodge with appropriate celebrations of the Golden Jubilee on 24th November 2012, which will also coincide with the Installation of the 15th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India. F or quite sometime past it has been suggested in various quarters, that an attempt should be made to compile the History of Freemasonry in India. It is now proposed that a serious attempt in this regard should commence from now onwards, so that such a History may be ready by the time the Golden Jubilee of the Grand Lodge is celebrated November 2011/2012t.obviously, the history of the Lodges constituting the Grand Lodge of India will form the crux of the history of the Grand Lodge of India with appropriate portions drawn from the history of each of its Lodges. This is no doubt a very onerous task for any single individual to attempt. It is therefore proposed that Lodges listed at (i) above which have already completed their Centenary or have been in existence for longer periods, may forward their histories, if any, as already compiled, to the Grand Lodge of India, as the first step towards compilation of the History of Freemasonry in India. These Lodges could thereafter up-date separately their history up to the end of November 2011 and send it to the Grand Lodge in due course. Likewise, Lodges which have already completed 50 years or more, listed at (ii) above and might have had occasion to Celebrate their Silver/GoldenIPlatinum Jubilees etc. and may have compiled their histories may also please send such compilation to the Grand Lodge of India, with separate up dating till November 2011 in due course. Few Lodges, such as those listed at (iii) above which existed prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge of India but have not completed 50 years, may also compile their History and send it to the Grand Lodge, as soon as possible and thereafter up-date them separately till November 2011. As regards Lodges from 146 onwards, vide (iv) above which were Consecrated after the formation of the Grand Lodge of India, they may also compile their history till date say till 2008 and send it to the Grand Lodge ofIndia and t,hereafter update it up to end of November 20J 1. The Worshipful Masters and Secretaries of each of the above Lodges may please take a personal interest in the matter and identify a few senior brethren of their Lodges, to take up this task on priority basis. They are also requested to inform us about the action taken in this regard by 31 st July, 2009. Broad Guideline and suggestions in this regard and the broad format in which the History of the Lodges may be compiled is indicated in the Annexure to this letter. With greetings,
Copy to all Board Members
Annexure
Broad Guidelines & suggestions for compilation of the History of the Lodges.
1. The history may be covered broadly in periods of 10 years Ln the case of Centenary Lodges and periods of 5 years in other cases, highlighting important events etc. during each such period. 2. The Minute Books/Old Summons/Old list of Members and the Long Roll of the Lodge, various Souvenirs, if any brought out in the past, already published history, if any, would be the primary records based on which the history would require to be traced. 3. In the case of Lodges which existed prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge, which opted to come over to the Grand Lodge of India, of particular interest will be the minutes of the meeting at which they opted to come over to the Grand Lodge. 4. The history may include details of Founder Members, Founder Master, and Founder Wardens etc. to be gathered from the Warrant. Information regarding consecrating tearrJ. and ceremony etc. could also make interesting reading. 5. Efforts made for construction of Lodge Temple and its history. 6. Details of first initiate, prominent initiates/members such as Judges, La,vyers, Doctors, Civil Service Officers, Engineers, Armed Forces Officers, other National figures, prominent Sportsmen etc., recipients of OSM as also prominent L.T.S. Jewel recipients particularly those for 50 years or more both present and past as well as Senior Grand Lodge rank holders (GM. Dy/Asst. G.M, D. of C, President of Board etc.) /Regional Grand Lodge rank holders (R.G.M.'s etc.) who have been or are Members of the Lodges. 7. Interesting old & current photographs of special occasions if any and of prominent Freemasons. 8. Interesting events, anecdotes & incidents which may add some spice to the history (Egs. Visit of G.M to the Lodge, Father & son as Masons, 2nd/3rd generation Masons etc.) 9. Major charitable projects etc. undertaken by the Lodges.
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