GRAND LODGE NEWS
 

26th Annual Grand Lodge Meeting --- 18th December 2021

 
Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Upper India is now 26 years old.  The 26th Annual Grand Lodge Meeting was held on Saturday 18th December 2021 at 6:00 p.m. It was attended by the Grand Officers (Present and Past), Past Masters, reigning Worshipful Masters, reigning Wardens and Master Masons of daughter Lodges and of recognized Grand Lodges.  M.W. the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Col. S.S.Dhanoa was unable to attend. The Grand Lodge was opened in due form by M.W. Bro. Dr. P.S. Egan – Past Grand Master (2001-03), President of the Grand Council of United Grand Lodges.  M.W. Bro. Ajit Singh Ranauta, M.W. Bro. Dr. Satwinder Singh Bhamra, M.W. Bro. Rakesh Mittal and other senior brethren graced the occasion.
 

M.W. Bro. Dr. P.S. Egan -- Officiating Grand Master

 

APPOINTMENT AND INVESTITURE OF GRAND OFFICERS

 

The Officiating Grand Master appointed and invested Grand Officers for the ensuing year. R.W. Bro. Kamaldeep Singh Egan was re-appointed and invested Deputy Grand Master and R.W. Bro. Lt.Col. Iqbal Singh Khara was re-appointed Assistant Grand Master.

R.W. Bro. Lt.Col. MGS Khurana was re-appointed Senior Grand Warden and R.W. Bro. Brig. Malkiat Singh Dullat was re-appointed and invested Junior Grand Warden.

R.W. BRO. HARBINDER  SINGH  RANAUTA  ELECTED GRAND MASTER

                        At the meeting of the Electoral College of the Grand Lodge of Upper India hosted by M.W. Bro. Col. Shamsher Singh Dhanoa, Grand Master, held on Saturday, 28th November 2020, R.W. Bro. Harbinder Singh Ranauta P.Dy G.M. and President of the Grand Board of General Purposes was unanimously elected Grand Master for the ensuing term of three years i.e. from December 2022 to December 2025. (keeping in view the Covid situation).

             R.W. Bro. Harbinder Singh Ranauta gave his unconditional consent for the same. He will be installed Grand Master at the next Grand Festival due to be held in December 2022.  

 

R.W.Bro. Harbinder Singh Ranauta, OSM
Grand Master-elect

 
R.W. BRO. HARBINDER SINGH RANAUTA CONFERRED O.S.M.
 

Grand Master’s Order of Service to Masonry was conferred on R.W. Bro. Harbinder Singh Ranauta  for the various services rendered by him not only to Grand Lodge of Upper India but also to Supreme Grand Chapter of Upper India and Grand Mark Lodge of Upper India, and to Freemasonry in general. R.W. Bro. Harbinder Singh Ranauta was decorated with the Order of Service to Masonry and presented the Jewel of Order of Service to Masonry along with a Certificate.

Grand Secretary read the following Citation:

“R.W. Bro. Harbinder Singh Ranauta having been initiated into freemasonry on 28th February 1990 in Lodge Chandigarh No. 241 GLI, he is a freemason of over 31 years standing. Brother Harbinder’s Masonic record is a very impressive one. Besides the craft degree, he is a member of Royal Arch Chapter, Mark Master Mason, Royal Ark Mariner and Order of the Secret Monitor (Brotherhood of David and Jonathan). He has been installed into the eastern chair of each of these degrees. He has served the Grand Lodge, Grand Mark Lodge and the Supreme Grand Chapter in various grand offices. He is past Deputy Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Upper India, and currently is the President of the Grand Board. He is holder of active senior Grand Ranks in Grand Mark Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter.

           He was initiated as a Lewis in 1990. He belongs to a family of freemasons, the illustrious Ranauta family. His father is a past Grand Master of GLUI, his brothers and cousins are all freemasons.

His contributions to the Grand Lodge as its Grand Secretary are immense. He has been looking after the printing needs of the Grand Lodge and its daughters Lodges. He is always at the forefront in contributing funds and looking after the Temple at Daun.

He is Bachelor of Commerce, Member of the Indian Roller Hockey team from 1988 to 1991 and Bronze Medalist in Asian Roller Hockey meet in 1989 in China, and a keen golfer. 

He is very affectionate and has been very deservedly unanimously elected as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Upper India for the next term.”

 

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT OF THE GRAND COUNCIL

 

M.W. Bro. Dr. Pritam Singh Egan, President, Grand Council, United   Grand Lodges of India who was also the officiating Grand Master, addressed the brethren and made the following speech.

M.W. Bro. Col. Shamsher Singh Dhanoa is not keeping good health and is not well. He could not attend today’s meeting and has sent his apology. I am therefore officiating in his place.

Freemasonry worldwide has not escaped the wrath of Covid-19 pandemic. We too have faced lockdowns, night curfews and restrictions on meetings and gatherings. Our members have suffered from corona infections. Our members and lodges have faced each difficult situation boldly.

 

M.W. Bro. Dr. P.S. Egan, OSM
President United Grand Lodges of India

 

World over freemasonry has slowed down, and our Lodges too have been affected by this difficult situation.  Therefore we were not able to hold Lodge meetings regularly. Neither could we hold our Annual Grand Lodge meetings on due dates, nor hold the Grand Council meetings as required. The Grand Council could not meet after January 2020.

 

The Covid situation having improved slightly, we are now able to meet with caution. Our brethren in the south had their Grand Lodge Installation meeting a few months back. M.W. Bro. E.K. Nagarajan was installed the new Grand Master. They also had their Grand Mark and Grand Chapter Installation meetings last month.  M.W. Bro. E.K. Nagarajan was installed Grand Mark Master in Grand Mark, and First Grand Principal in Supreme Grand Chapter.  On behalf of the Grand Council I felicitate him and wish him a successful term of office.

                  Today we are missing the presence of the brethren from Grand Lodge of South India who could not come because of the Omicron variant virus.

      Hopefully lodges of our Grand Lodge will now start meeting regularly and freemasonry will be back on its feet.  I congratulate R.W. Bro. Harbinder Singh Ranauta on being elected Grand Master for the next term, and on receiving from the Grand Master, the Order of Service to Masonry award. I am sure he will continue to work with same fervency and zeal with which M.W. Bro. Col. S.S. Dhanoa has been working and looking after and administering the Grand Lodge.

 

 
Silver Jibilee Celebrations 21st January 2020
Annual Meeting 19th January 2020
Cultural Program and Dinner  
 

 

24th Annual Grand Lodge Meeting ---December 2018

MW BRO. COL. SHAMSHER SINGH DHANOA O.S.M. 
- INSTALLED GRAND MASTER

  

MW Bro Col. Shamsher Singh Dhanoa OSM, Past Deputy Grand Master and President of the Grand Board was installed Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Upper India for the term 2018-2021 on Saturday 8th December 2018 at the 24th Annual Grand Lodge Meeting held at Hotel Beckons Chandigarh.

M.W. Bro. .Balbir Singh Devgun the outgoing Grand Master opened the Grand Lodge in ample form. He installed M.W. Bro. Col. Shamsher Singh Dhanoa, as 10th Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Masons of Upper India for a three years term of office.

 

MW Bro. Balbir Singh Devgun investing the Grand Master-elect
MW Bro Col. Shamsher Singh Dhanoa

 

MW Bro. Balbir Singh Devgun placing MW Bro Col. Shamsher Singh Dhanoa
in the Grand Master’s seat

 

Grand Master MW Bro Col. Shamsher Singh Dhanoa takes control of the Grand Lodge

 
R. W. Bro. Kamaldeep Singh Egan was appointed Deputy Grand Master and R.W. Bro. Lt Col Iqbal Singh Khara was installed Assistant Grand Master.
 

RW Bro Lt.col.Iqbal Singh Khara being appointed as Assistant GrandMaster

 
RW Bro. Lt Col MadanGopal Singh Khurana was appointed and invested Senior Grand Warden, and RW Bro Brig. Malkiat Singh Dullat was appointed and invested Junior Grand Warden.
 

RW Bro Brig. Malkiat Singh Dullat being appointed Junior Grand Warden

 

VW Bro Gurinder Singh Cheema being appointed Dy. Grand Registrar

 

VW Bro. Maninder Singh being presented patent of Senior Grand Deacon

 

Grand Master appointed MW Bro. Balbir Singh Devgun as the Website Administrator

 
M.W. Bro. Ajit Singh Ranauta, M.W. Bro. Dr. Satwinder Singh Bhamra, MW Bro. Dr. P. S. Egan – President of the Grand Council of United Grand Lodges and other senior brethren graced the occasion.
 

MW Bro. Dr. P. S. Egan President of Grand Council of United Grand Lodges addressing the Grand Lodge

 
The Grand Festival was graced by a deputation from Grand Lodge of South India Represented by MW Bro. Philip Fowler, and V.W. Bro. M. Nagarajan, Grand Secretary. A lavish banquet was hosted after the meeting. Ladies graced the banquet.
 

MW Bro. Philip Fowler - G. Secy General of Grand Council addressing the Grand Lodge

 

Grand Master MW Bro Col S S. Dhanoapresenting a memento to MW Bro. Philip Fowler

 

MW the Grand Master presenting his Diary to RW Bro. M Nagarajan –Grand Secretary-GLSI

 

MW Bro. Philip Fowler with brethren of Grand Lodge of Upper India

 

Supreme Grand Chapter and Grand Mark Meetings – 9th Dec. 2018

The Meetings of the Supreme Grand Chapter and Grand Mark Lodge of Upper India were held on 9th December 2018 at the Freemason’s Complex at Daun, Mohali. The Grand Festival was graced by a deputation from Supreme Grand Chapter of South India headed by Past 1st Grand Principal M. E. Comp. Philip Fowler.

 

GRAND MASTER MW BRO COL.SHAMSHER SINGH DHANOA O.S.M.

 

MW Bro. Col. S. S. Dhanoa OSM - Grand Master

 
MW Bro. Col. Shamsher Singh Dhanoa is a mason of over 40 years, having been initiated into freemasonryon 27th November 1978, in Lodge Engineers 120 GLI at Pune. He worked his way up performing proficiently in each office and was installed W. Master of Lodge NR Doraiswami No. 5, on 14th October 1999.

Born on 7th February 1937 at village Rupalheri (Dist. Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab). Passed Matriculation in 1955 in First Division. Then had joined Gandhi Memorial National (GMN) College, AmbalaCantt. And had passed F. Sc. (Science, Maths) and B. A. (Graduation) in Maths. A & B course in 1958-59.

First Deviation in career: - Science and Maths were pursued till Graduation, only to enhance the prospect of employability, but the real inclination was towards Literature (Punjabi). Took a bold step, against the wishes of dear and near and got admission in Punjabi Department of Punjab University and passed M. A. final in April 1962, topping in the Class.

Short stint in Teaching: - In July 1962 was appointed Lecturer in Punjabi Literature at D. A. V. College, Chandigarh. With a mind to settle down in this career, had got married in June 1963 and wife MeherKaur was already a teacher in a Govt. School.

Second Deviation in Career: - After India’s debacle at the hands of Chinese in 1962, Govt. had opened the flood gates for Emergency Commission in the Army with relaxed entry conditions. Finding this as another avenue for a better and adventurous career, had volunteered, was selected and dispatched to Indian Military Academy (I M A) Dehradoon, for a shortened but strenuous training. On 2nd August 1964, became a 2nd Lieutenant Commissioned Officer, but with a severe shock of having been pushed into Corps of Engrs., entailing long abandoned study and application of Science and Maths. There was apparently no way out, but to accept it.

Second Stint in Teaching:- Having been awarded permanent Commission, it became mandatory to qualify B. E. Degree Course of 3 years at College of Military Engineering (CME) at Pune, which was successfully accomplished in 1974with a distinction in Grade A. Back to back in another Advanced Electrical- Mechanical Engg. Course at CME, again secured an A Grade. Thus was retained as a Lecturer in Electrical Engg. at CME, which continued for almost 5 years. Along with teaching assignment had also done M.E. (Electrical Engg.) in First Division from Pune University, in 1978. At the fog end of service had done Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from IMM New Delhi, in A Grade. Was granted Fellowship of Institute of Engrs. (India), on 26th June 1986 (F 8407)..

Career in the Indian Army:-
(a) Wars Against Pakistan: - Was actively involved in all the three wars: i. Rann of Kutch, ii. War of Sept. 1965 and iii. War of 1971; and had earned three star war medals.
(b) During the course of Service in high Altitude, difficult terrain, etc had earned six more medals, to make the medals tally to NINE.

Post Retirement Venture:- Had coached students of IX to XII Classes in Maths. from the residence, extended over 18 years (1993- 2011).

Masonic Profile:-
(a) Initiation: - Was initiated on 27th November 1978, in Lodge Engineers 120 GLI at Pune. Raised on 27thAugust 1979 at same location and in same Lodge.
(b) Joining Grand Lodge of Upper India:- Joined Lodge Chandimandir No. 2 in Sept.1997 (GLUI)
(c) W.M.: - Installed W.M. in Lodge NR Doraiswami No. 5, on 14th October 1999.
(d) Higher Degree Lodges:-
(i) Exaltation: Exalted on 11th September 1999, and installed PZ on 20th March 2004 in HRA Chapter Chandigarh no.1.
(ii) Advancement: Advanced on 29thAugust 1999, and installed W. M. on 18th January 2004 in Mark Lodge Chandigarh No. 1.
(iii) Elevation: Elevated on 10th June 2000 and installed W. Commander N on 23rd November 2014 in R. A. Mariner Lodge Chandigarh No. 1
(iv) Conclave: Admitted to the Order of Secret Monitor in 2008.

Ranks in Grand Lodge:-
(i) Grand Lodge of Upper India (Craft): Dy. Grand Master- Dec. 2013-15
(ii) Grand Mark Lodge of Upper India: Dy. Grand Master- Dec. 2017-18.
(iii) Supreme Grand Chapter of Upper India:3rd Grand Principal- Dec. 2017-18
(iv) Royal Ark Mariners: Junior R A M Grand Officer – Dec 2016-18

Awards:
(i) 25 Years Long Term Service Jewel-- 5th February 2017
(ii) O. S. M. --- 9th Dec. 2017.

Secretariship:
(i) Craft Lodge Chandigarh No. 1: 2001 – 2006
(ii) Lodge Perfect Ashlar No. 13: March 2000 – Sept. 2001
Both Chapters and Both Mark Lodges: Concurrently for various periods.
 

(from left) RW Bro. Col. S S Dhanoa MW Bro Ajit Singh and MW Bro. B. S. Devgun

 
 
 
 
 

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