Lodge Burroughs Strange No. 87
Vijayawada, India

I am very happy that the Brethren of Vijayawada have come forward to host this half-yearly meeting.

Masonry is deep-rooted in this Temple city for very many decades and the commitment of the Brethren for the propagation of the ideals of Freemasonry and their practice of its principles and tenets are well-known. The hospitality of the Brethren of this city is second to none and as such, the visiting Brethren will, I am confident, go back home with pleasant memories. The warmth and the large-heartedness of the people of Andhra Pradesh and more specifically of the Brethren of this area will, I hope, make the visitors from various parts of our region and from elsewhere cherish the memories of their sojourn amidst us during this half-yearly convocations.

I wish the function all success.

May the GAOTU bless all the members of the Fraternity.

R.W.Bro. Dr. B. Biswakumar
Regional Grand Master of Southern India

It is quite appropriate that Freemasons of the Southern Region are meeting on the banks of River Krishna at the abode of Goddess Kanaka Durga.

Both have invaluable lessons for us as Freemasons.

The river symbolizes knowledge. But merely standing on the bank of a river is of no use. If we need to drink the water of the river, we need to bend! Similarly, Freemasonry is a River of Knowledge; But of no avail unless we bend and make an effort to use what it has to offer the seeker.

“Durga” means one who is difficult to approach or difficult to know. Being the totality of Gods, she is naturally difficult to approach or to know. However, as the mother of the universe she is the personification of LOVE – an attribute that should really be dear to Freemasons.

May the river Krishna inspire the Freemasons meeting here to bend and taste the water of knowledge and may the love of Goddess Kanaka Durga motivate the brethren to share their love with each other.

R.W.Bro. Arun Chintopanth
Grand Master Elect

I am happy to note that the host Lodges – Lodge Burroughs Strange No. 87 and Lodge Goddess Kanakadurga No. 331 are bringing out a Souvenir to commemorate the occasion of Half-Yearly Meeting of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India at Vijayawada on August 23 and 24, 2003.

I hope that the form and contents of this Souvenir will be appreciated by all the brethren and I wish the Lodges success in their attempt.

With fraternal greetings.

V.W.Bro. K. Ramabrahmam
Deputy Regional Grand Master

I am happy to learn that both the sponsoring Lodge of RGL Half-Yearly Meet at Vijayawada are bringing out a Souvenir to commemorate the occasion.

In this connection, I have, to certain extent, followed the work of these Lodges in organizing this event, and I wish them all success.

W.Bro. G. Krishnamurthy
Assistant Regional Grand Master