Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Grand Lodge

The Grand Lodge of Upper India was formed, consecrated and established on 21st January 1995, exactly 25 years back. Grand Lodge is now 25 years old and it celebrated its Silver Jubilee at our Masonic Complex Daun, Mohali.   The Special Silver Jubilee Meeting of Grand Lodge of Upper India was held on 21st January 2020 at 5.00 pm in the evening.  

The entire function was a grand success, especially due to the participation of senior Brethren from Europe and South India.

The Delegates from Europe and South India were:

1. Grand Lodge of Belgium represented by MW Bro. Oscar de Wandel- Grand Master.
2. Sovereign Grand Lodge of Austria represented by MW Bro.  Michael Muarer- Grand Master and RW Bro. Heiner Wiegele- Grand Chancellor.    
3. Grand Lodge of Serbia represented by RW Bro.  Veka Radonjic   - Grand Chancellor and RW Bro. Edvard Miljanic- Grand Orator.    
4. Grand Lodge of Hungary represented by MW Bro.  Michel Singer- Grand Chancellor and Grand Representative of United Grand Lodges of India in Europe.
5. T.ILL.Fr: Philippe Douillet 33ème D (SC de F.)
6. Grand Lodge of South India was represented by MW Bro. Rajkumar Vaiyapuri- Grand Master, RW Bro. E K Nagrajan- Dy G. M., RW Bro K.R. Raman- Asst G. M. and 12 other brethren along with their ladies.
7. MW Bro. Philip Fowler- Past Grand Master GL South India- Grand Secretary of United Grand Lodges of India and Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander of Supreme Council of India also graced the occasion.
   Besides these 22 delegates from South India and Europe, a good number of our brethren were present including those from Amritsar and Delhi.

Formation and Progress of GLUI

MW Bro. Dr S S Bhamra addressed the Grand Lodge and spoke on Formation and Progress of  the Grand Lodge. He informed that the Grand Lodge has been established lawfully and regularly by   three regularly warranted, consecrated and constituted lodges of GLI.. 

Thanks Giving and Rededication Ceremony

He was ably assisted by MW Bro Dr. P S Egan as SW,  RW Bro. Kamaldeep Singh Egan as JW and MW Bro. Dr. S.S. Bhamra as Grand Chaplain. Grand Lodge   members pledged to continue to work for Freemasonry   and the Grand Lodge with renewed vigour and zeal. MW Bro. Ajit Singh Ranauta administered the pledge to the members. Members of the Grand Lodge stood up and repeated the pledge. MW Bro. Ajit Singh Ranauta then handed back the Grand Lodge to MW Bro. Col S S Dhanoa.

Treaty of Amity, Mutual Recognition and Inter-visitation

A Treaty of Amity, Mutual Recognition and Inter-Visitation was signed between Grand Lodge of Serbia and United Grand Lodges of India (Grand Lodge of Upper India and G.L. of South India).

Masonic Lapel Pin and  Masonic Breast Jewel Released

Masonic Personal Diary

Appreciation Awards

Appreciation Awards were also presented to Founder Members, to Eminent Members and to Senior Members of the Grand Lodge.

Mason of the Silver Jubilee

MW Bro. Dr. Satwinder Singh Bhamra was declared Mason of the Silver Jubilee and presented an Appreciation Award mentioning the same.

Special Appreciation Awards

The Grand Master presented a beautiful Special Appreciation Award to the Chairman of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations Committee MW Bro. Ajit Singh Ranauta. The entire Function was a great success because of the administrative acumen and hard work of MW Bro Ajit Singh Ranauta.
MW Bro Ajit Singh Ranauta hosted the guests from Europe who stayed at his residence during the period of their stay in Chandigarh. Annual Meeting of Grand Council of United Grand Lodges of India was also hosted by the Chairman of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations Committee, MW Bro. Ajit Singh Ranauta at his residence on 21st January. There after he hosted liquid refreshments and lunch   for all delegates from Europe and from South India.

Framed Group Photo

Address by MW Bro  Rajkumar Vaiyapuri

MW Bro Rajkumar Vaiyapuri Grand Master of Grand Lodge of South India addressed the brethren and appreciated the progress made by the Grand Lodge in the last 25 years. He donated a handsome amount of money to the various fund of our Grand Lodge.

He presented a Special South Indian Scarf of Honour to MW Bro. Ajit Singh Ranauta Chairman of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations for arranging the visits of the brethren from South India to Shimla and to Amritsar, hosting liquid refreshments and Lunch to all delegates and for various other courtesies extended to his delegation and to him personally.

MW Bro Rajkumar Vaiyapuri honoured RW Bro. Navneet Saxena and MW Bro. Dr. Satwinder Singh Bhamra by presenting them each a Special South Indian Scarf of Honour.

RW Bro. Navneet Saxena hosted delegates from South India, looked after their accommodations, transport and took them around Chandigarh for sightseeing.       

Address by RW Bro  Veka Radonjic

RW Bro Veka Radonjic  Grand Chancellor of Grand Lodge of Serbia  addressed the Grand Lodge and felicitated the Grand Lodge and the Grand Master MW Bro Col S S Dhanoa on celebrating the Silver Jubilee of the Grand Lodge.  He was happy and satisfied that today a Treaty of Amity,  Mutual Recognition and Inter-Visitation was signed between Grand Lodge of Serbia and United Grand Lodges of India (Grand Lodge of Upper India and G.L. of South India).
He presented a Medal of Grand Lodge of Serbia to MW Bro Rajkumar Vaiyapuri Grand Master of Grand Lodge of South India and one to MW Bro Dr P S Egan  President, Grand Council.

Grand Master Honours visiting Heads of Grand Lodges

 The Grand Master MW Bro. Col. S. S. Dhanoa presented to visiting head of each Grand Lodge a marble replica of the Taj Mahal,  which is a part the Grand Lodge of Upper India Logo. Taj Mahal is not only a beautiful work of stone masons but also alludes to the inevitable destiny of every individual. 
To acknowledge the kind visit of the Heads of Grand Lodges and delegates, they were also presented Silver Jubilee Appreciation Awards by our Grand Master.

Address by MW Bro Michel Singer

MW Bro Michel Singer Grand Chancellor of Grand Lodge of Hungary addressed the Grand Lodge and appreciated the progress made by the Grand Lodge in the last 25 years. He also remembered the time in 2004 when he as Grand Chancellor of Grand Lodge of France was instrumental in signing the Treaty of Amity, Mutual Recognition and Inter-visitation between the Grand Lodge of France and GL of Upper India and GL of South India. He thanked the Grand Master and MW Bro Ajit Sngh Ranauta for the warm hospitality extended to him and to T.ILL.Fr: Philippe Douillet and making their stay a very memorable one.

Address by MW Bro Michael Muarer

MW Bro Michael Muarer Grand Master of Sovereign Grand Lodge of Austria addressed the Grand Lodge and acknowledged the progress made by the Grand Lodge in the last 25 years. He laid stress on initiating young masons in Freemasonry. He thanked the Grand Master and MW Bro Ajit Sngh Ranauta for the hospitality extended to him and to his G. Chancellor RW Bro Heiner Wiegele during their stay in Chandigarh.  He remembered that it was on 25th May 2019 at Coimbatore that the Treaty of Amity was signed between our Grand Lodges.               

Address by MW Bro Oscar de Wandel

MW Bro Oscar de Wandel Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Belgium addressed the Grand Lodge and said he was impressed that the Grand Lodge had made good progress during the last 25 years. He said it is good that the Grand Lodge has its own building and Temple to hold meetings. He   thanked   MW Bro Ajit Sngh Ranauta for accommodating him at his residence and extending kind and warm hospitality to him. His stay in Chandigarh was made very comfortable. He remembered that it was about 14 years back on 23rd April 2006 that the Treaty of Amity was signed between our Grand Lodges.

Address by MW Bro Dr. P S  Egan President, Grand Council

MW Bro Dr. P S  Egan President of the Grand Council United Grand Lodges of India addressed the Grand Lodge and made the following speech.   
“Today is a historic day for our two Grand Lodges. We have today signed a Treaty of Amity, Mutual Recognition and Inter-visitation with Grand Lodge of Serbia.  Having completed 25 years of our formation, we are now celebrating our success as internationally recognized Grand Lodges. We acknowledge the assistance given to us by our friends abroad and our members here locally.

In the year 2004 when as a new Grand Lodge we were seeking international recognition it was with MW Bro Michel Singer present here today, that I first communicated. He was at that time the Grand Chancellor of Grand Lodge of France. He helped and guided us and made it possible for us to sign a Treaty of Amity Mutual Recognition and Inter-visitation with Grand Lodge of France. MW Bro Michel Singer is now Grand Chancellor of AASR Grand Lodge of Hungary, and is our Grand Representative for Europe.  He has guided us on Freemasonry in Europe and helped us in signing Treaties of Amity with many European Grand Lodges. Recognising his services to United Grand Lodge of India, I am pleased to present him on behalf of United Grand Lodges of India a Masonic Service Award.     Bro. G D of C please bring the award that I may present it to MW Bro Michel Singer. (Bro. G D of C does the needful and award is presented)

Brethren no Function can succeed unless it is fully backed by its head. The credit of success of the Function goes to the Grand Master of the G L.
MW Bro. Col. Shamsher Singh Dhanoa, is not only very firmly attached to Freemasonry in general but also to our Grand Lodge in particular.
He is very efficient, very hard working, and a perfect hard task master.
The qualities which he possesses as a gentleman and as an army officer make him stand out among masons.
With a big heart and without any hesitation or reservations he has always willingly contributed financially to the various Grand Lodge funds and to the Daun Masonic Temple Fund.  The entire Grand Lodge recognizes and appreciates his benevolence and his attachment to Freemasonry.  United Grand Lodges of India appreciates his dedication and attachment to Freemasonry and to Grand Lodge of Upper India. On behalf of U G L of India, I am now pleased to present a Masonic Service Award to MW Bro. Col. Shamsher Singh Dhanoa. Bro. G D of C please bring the award.  (Bro. G D of C does the needful and award is presented). Congratulations M W Bro. Col.  Shamsher Singh Dhanoa, 
 Brethren earlier in the day a meeting of the Grand Council was held at the residence of MW Bro. Ajit Singh Ranauta. I thank MW Bro. Ajit Singh Ranauta for hosting the meeting and serving liquid refreshments and a sumptuous Lunch thereafter to all the members who attended.

Address by MW Bro. Col Shamsher Singh Dhanoa

MW the Grand Master MW Bro. Col Shamsher Singh Dhanoa addressed the Grand Lodge and made the following speech.      

   “I joined GLUI on 27th September 1997, when Grand Lodge was about 2 years of age and the Founder GM MW Bro D1r N Vasishta was at the helm of affairs; but Founder of the GL MW Bro Iqbal Singh Ranauta had already left for the GL above. 
I had the privilege of serving with all the 9 Grand Masters before I myself became the 10th GM on 8the December 2019.
 
I congratulate Grand Lodge of Serbia and United Grad Lodges of India for Signing the Treaty Amity, Mutual Recognition and Inter-visitation.   I congratulate RW Bro. Veka Radonjic Grand Chancellor   GL of Serbia and thank him for coming all the way to Chandigarh to sign the Treaty.  
   To celebrate and mark Silver Jubilee occasion the Grand Lodge has got prepared and is presenting to each brother a Lapel Pin and a beautifully made Breast Jewel. A Silver Jubilee Brochure has been released today The Brochure contains information about the Grand Lodge. It also has a few Masonic articles written by the senior brethren and by me. Further I got printed a Silver Jubilee Masonic Personal Diary of 300 pages which I am presenting to each brother.
I am very thankful to all the brethren and specially the delegates from South India and from Europe who are participating in our celebrations I trust they are enjoying their stay here.  I especially thank MW Bro. Ajit Singh Ranauta, his family, his three sons, MW Bro. Rakesh Mittal and his family, MW Bro Dr S S Bhamra his family and RW Bro Navneet Saxena and his family and all other brethren who accommodated and looked after the delegates during their stay here.
  To acknowledge the kind visit of the Heads of Grand Lodges and their delegates, I am pleased to present them each a Silver Jubilee Appreciation Award. Further I am happy to present a marble replica of the Taj Mahal to each head of the Grand Lodge participating, Taj  Mahal  is a part our Grand Lodge  insignia. It is not only a beautiful work of stone masons but also alludes to the inevitable destiny of every individual.
 In conclusion I can humbly say that I had been contributing my part of endevours to Masonic Duties to the best of my ability and resourcefulness. I was always offered full co operation by my fellow Brethren and guidance by my seniors for which I am Thankful to all. May God bless us all.”