Universal Brotherhood Day

It was a warm summer evening. The monsoon had been playing hide and seek and so far no one had been able to find it. The people were in place and they were waiting for the birthday boy. No, don't get me wrong, I am still talking about the Universal Brotherhood day celebrations at Lodge Star of Agra on 24th June, this year. It is just that one of the oldest and senior most member of our Lodge also celebrates his birthday on this auspicious day. Very Worshipful Brother, G.G. Mathur celebrates his birthday along with all the Freemasons in the world on Brotherhood day.

This year, when the Lodge is in its 128th year of holding its meetings, we are proud to have not a few but over half a doxen members who have been serving Lodge for over 25 years, with a couple of them being around for over 40years. We are also proud to have a few father-son members to the likes of W.Bro.S.B. Agarwal and Bro.Sumit Agarwal, V.W.Bro.H.R.Debara and W.Bro.P.H.Debara. In fact, V.W.Bro. Debara and W.Bro.P.H.Debara are 3rd and 4th generation Freemasons. In fact W.Bro. P.H.Debara was initiated as a Lewis at the age of 18 and is one of the youngest master in the Lodge Star of Agra's history. He is a devout mason, travelling the length of the country to attend regional and grand lodge meetings. He has a plethora of of knowledge on Freemasonry, both from first hand and also through his interaction during his travels as a Freemason. He was recently appointed the ARGM (Assistant Regional Grand Master) in the Northern Regional Grand Lodge, earning him the nick name from us as the PHD (his initials) in Freemasonry.

Overall, this Brotherhood Day celebrations were just like former years, with games for ladies and guests with the gents enjoying the casual conversations over drinks. The highlight of the evening, obviously, was V.W.Bro. G.G.Mathur cutting his birthday cake, thronged by his family and friends from the Lodge.