Lodge Burroughs Strange No. 87
Vijayawada, India

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest secular fraternal societies. It is a world-wide organisation based on the principle of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. 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.

Freemasonry traces its origin from King Solomon’s times, but its real origin is lost in antiquity. Freemasonry has been in existence in the present form for over 300 years in the world and for nearly 290 years in India. Freemasonry in its present form originated in England, in 1717. It came to India, at Calcutta in 1729.

Freemasonry exists in over 190 countries in the World. There are more than 150 Grand Lodges functioning all over the world. There are over 5 million Freemasons in the world. Masonic organisations throughout the world are engaged in many philanthropic and charitable projects.

The Grand Lodge of India was consecrated as a Sovereign Grand Lodge with full Masonic jurisdiction over the territories of the Republic of India in November 1961. The primary unit organisation of Freemasonry is a Lodge. In India, we have about 20,000 Freemasons. There are more than 450 Craft Lodges, more than 160 Chapters, more than 180 Mark Lodges and more than 180 RAM Lodges in India.

The Indian Order of Freemasons has, as its head, its Grand Master, who is elected for a term of three years. M.W. Bro. Maj. Gen. Dr. Sir Syed Raza Ali Khan, the Nawab of Rampur, was the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India. The present Grand Master is M.W. Bro. Harcharan Singh Ranauta, OSM.

Some of the prominent Indians who have been Freemasons are Swami Vivekananda, Shri C. Rajagopalachari, Shri Moti Lal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Shri Fakhrudhin Ali Ahmed, Actor Shri Ashok Kumar, Cricket Player Shri Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, as also several serving and retired judges of Supreme Court and High Courts, serving and retired Defence Personnel and Civilian Officers, and also a wide variety of a cross section of society and professionals, such as Doctors, Engineers, Industrialists, Professors, Teachers, Advocates, Chartered Accountants, Business Executives, Industrialists, Business men, Business Executives and other Professionals.

In India, the Masonic Fraternity is involved in several charitable projects, all over the country. The General Williams Masonic Polyclinic and a Masonic Public School in Delhi, as also a Masonic Medical care center for children in Coimbatore, the adoption of an entire village located in backward area, for all round development in Health, Sanitation, Education & Housing in Visakhapatnam Distt. & Construction of Sheds for cyclone victims in Andhra Pradesh, many Scholarships and Bursaries awarded to deserving students, helping institutions for the handicapped and the aged and holding of periodical Blood donation camps, Eye camps and "Jyothirgamaya Project " 110 villages in the country provided Solar Lights are examples of some of the socially relevant activities of Masonic organisations all over the country.

Freemasonry is best explained through answers to some specific questions as indicated below:–

• Freemasonry seeks to make good men better.
• It encourages the practice of the moral virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, prudence and Justice.
• It inculcates obedience to God & observance of the Laws of the country.
• It is committed to extend the hand of fellowship & provide Relief to those in distress.

• Kindness in the home,
• love for one another,
• courtesy in society,
• resistance towards evil,
• help for the weak,
• pity and concern for the unfortunate,
• forgiveness for the penitent,
• fairness in work,
• honesty in business,
• and above all, reverence and love for God. In fact Freemasonry is a Way of Life.

• It is not a Religion.
  However, it emphasises secularism by teaching respect for and tolerance towards all religions.
• It is not a political party or organisation.
  It reminds them of the filial affection one should always have for the Land of their birth, to remain loyal to the laws of the land which, for the time being, may be the place of their residence, or afford them protection.
• It is not a secret society.
  • There is nothing secret or secretive about Freemasonry. Freemasonry does not conceal the time and place of its meeting nor does a member hide the fact of his membership.
  • Like many other Societies it regards some of its internal affairs as private matters of concern only for its members.
  • There is no secret about its aims & principles. Copies of its Constitutions and Rules can be obtained by interested members of the public from its offices.
• It is not a social club.
  However, it provides the means of socialising among its members, which consists of a cross section of society drawn from all walks of life who meet on an equal · footing. It also involves the families of members on such social occasions.