It is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by series of ritual which follow ancient forms and use stone masons' customs and tools and allegorical guides. It seeks to make good men better and there by make the world a better place in which to live. Information in this write-up is intended to explain Freemasonry as it has been practised unde
r the United Grand Lodge of England, which administered Lodges of Freemasons in England and Wales and in many places overseas including India and a quick overview of its history. After independence it was in 1956 that the first real consideration was given to the establishment of a sovereign Grand Lodge of India and indeed, following a joint Conference in Dublin of The Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland in October of that year, it was agreed that the views of the Brethren in India should be sought. Ultimately the Grand Lodge of India was officially consecrated as a Sovereign Grand Lodge with full Masonic jurisdiction over the territories of the Republic of India on Friday, the 24th of November 1961 A.D. The Indian Order of Freemasons has, as its head, its Grand Master, who is elected for a term of three years. The First Grand Master was M.W. Major General Dr. Sir Syed Raza Ali Khan, G.C.l.E.,D.Litt., LL.D, the Nawab of Rampur. M.W.Bro. Arun Chintopanth O.S.M. is the 12th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India. On 28th October, 2006 M.W.Justice Devinder Gupta O.S.M., Former Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh will be installed as the 13th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India. On the founding of the GRAND LODGE OF INDIA four Regional Grand Lodges. viz, the Regional Grand Lodge of Northern India, Eastern India, Southern India and Western India were established. There are now about 350 Lodges and about equal number of other Masonic bodies located in different parts of the country with a total membership of about 18,000 Freemasons under the Grand Lodge of India. There are number of Lodges and other Masonic bodies functioning in India under their respective parent Grand Lodges. There are number of prominent Indians who have been Freemasons. To name a few ; Swami Vivekananda, Shri C. Rajagopalachari, Shri Moti Lal Nehru, President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, President Shri Fakhrudin Ali Ahmed, as also several serving and retired judges of Supreme Court and High Courts, serving and retired Defence Personnel and Civilian Officers besides many Industrialists, Business men, Business Executives and other Professionals. Compiled by R.W.Bro Justice Devinder Gupta, Dy. G. M. Grand Lodge of India
