Year 51, 1985 GLI: W. Bro. Dr. Jaswantlal Gokuldas Mehta
- Viren Joshi
- Nov 19, 1985
- 4 min read
The FIFTY-FIRST INSTALLATION MEETING of Lodge Reginald Spence No. 109 GLI was held on November 19, 1985, at Freemasons Hall, Bombay 1. The officers were:
Office/Role | Name(s) |
W.Master | W. Bro. Dr. Jaswantlal Gokuldas Mehta |
I.P.M. | V. W. Bro. Framroz Nadurshaw Shroff |
S.W. | Bro. Tarachand Siroosing Kishnani |
J.W. | Bro. Sudhir Babulal Sheth |
Chaplin | Bro. Muder Fazlehuein Motiwalla |
Treasurer | W. Bro. Firoz Naumannbhai Siamwala |
Secretary | Bro. Dr. Madhu Karunashankar Vyas |
D of C | W. Bro. Dr. Atul Mohanlal Modi |
S.D. | Bro. Madhawdas Gobindram Narang |
J.D. | Bro. Shakir Moiz Basrai |
Asst. Secretary | Bro. Mohamedi Karimbhoy Bootwala |
Asst. D of C | W. Bro. Ashok Kumar Girdharlal Fozdar |
I.G. | Bro. Asger Fidaali Lakdawalla |
Steward | Bro. Mohamed Yahyabhoy Papar; W. Bro. Naushir Jehangir Pestonji Shroff |
Tyler | Bro. Keki Cooverji Pastakia |
We now come to an era when all the brethren of the lodge are well known to one another, are regular in attending the meetings and are all holding active offices.
R.W. Bro. Madhawdas Gobindram Narang is a Mason of large girth, always dressed in white with a smile on his face. He was 45 years old when he saw the light of Freemasonry. He is a businessman who resides at 13, Neel Sarita, 142 S.V. Road, Khar. He has changed his residence to 41, Cherrysons, St. Cyril Road, Bandra (W). His main business consists of emblem merchandising and making gifts, articles, and accessories for Rotary International, Lions International, Masonic Regalia, and several other presentation mementoes. His business has multiplied several folds over the years, and he also does business with countries other than India. Madhu, as he is popularly known, is a thoroughbred Rotarian and now a thoroughbred Freemason. He was initiated on February 16, 1982, passed on March 18, 1982, and raised on April 20, 1982. For the early years of his Masonic career, he was full of zest and infused new life into the lodge. Then there was a period in which he had to devote more time to his business, during which he absented himself from the lodge. However, after a period of a few years, he once again made his presence felt in the affairs of the lodge. During his year as master, he revived the lodge by dint of sheer hard work. His forte has been 'communication' with all concerned. Of the things I remember, I can say that he revived the ladies' nights and has improved the attendance of the brethren to almost 100%.
He has introduced several new brethren to the lodge, and many more are to be introduced. He was instrumental in inviting brethren from Lodge Montford No. 249 GLI to visit Lodge Reginald Spence No. 109 GLI and have them do a degree working. Then 19 brethren from Lodge Reginald Spence No. 109 GLI reciprocated and went to Salem in South India and then to Yercaud to attend the meeting of Lodge Montford No. 249 GLI and do the 3rd degree working. This exchange of brethren between the two lodges has never occurred in the past and has been the talking point not only in the Western Region but all over the other masonic regions. The next event of note was a Masonic Seminar held at Rangoli Restaurant followed by lunch. This too has been the talking point as there were brethren of all ranks from the different regions of India. The offices held by Bro. Narang were Secretary 82-83 and 83-84; Steward 84-85; S.D. 85-86; J.W. 87-88; Chaplain 90-91 and Master 91-92. IPM the next year, he has been secretary of the lodge for many years. He is the current Treasurer of the lodge. He fared well in the RGLWI and the GLI and has the ranks of P.A.G.M., P.Dy.R.G.M. He was Asst. Secretary GLI for a period of three years. Bro. Narang was editor of Ashlar for 9 years. He has received the 25 years Long Term Service Jewel. During his stewardship, the byelaws of the lodge have been amended. Though Bro. Narang has done a lot for the well-being of the lodge and also the sister lodge of which I have made no mention, of late he is not very regular, perhaps for reasons of health problems. He was married to Veena, who was called to the Grand Lodge Above in October 2003. He has a son, Gopal, and a daughter, Sunita. He has four grandchildren.
R. W. Bro. Dr. MADHU KARUNASHANKAR VYAS
became a mason at the age of 48 years. A non-medical doctor, he is involved in business. Residing at 707, Cumballa Crest, 42 Pedder Road, Bombay 26. He was initiated on February 21, 1984, passed on March 20, 1984, and raised on April 17, 1984. A popular mason, he is also a brother of several other lodges and allied bodies. Adept at ritual working, his forte has been the presentation and the explanation of the tracing boards. He has joined the brethren on trips out of Bombay and the ones which come to mind are Pune, Nagpur, and Salem. Married to Dr. Pushpa, he has a beautiful daughter, Pallavi, who has qualified in Bachelor of Arts and has now settled down in the United States of America. Bro. Dr. Vyas has held several offices in the lodge and has been master for 2 consecutive years: Secretary 85-86; J.D. 86-87; S.W. 88-89 and master 89-90 and 90-91. IPM in 91-92. He has been the D of C for many years and is today the secretary of the lodge. Bro. Dr. Vyas has received the 25 years Long Term Service Jewel.
R.W. Bro. Vyas was accorded the ranks of P.J.G.W; P J.R.G.W.
Bro. SURENDRA MAGANLAL MEHTA
was initiated on July 17, 1984, passed on August 21, 1984, and raised on February 17, 1985. He was a Past District Governor of Rotary International District No. 314. He resigned in November 1988.
There were 67 brethren on the roll of the lodge. In a fitting manner, V.W.Bro. Framroz Shroff installed W.Bro.Dr. Jaswantlal Mehta in the Eastern Chair. The address to the newly installed master was given by V.W.Bro. Shroff and to the wardens by W.Bro. Mehta. W.Bro.Dr. Atul Modi was nominated to the Board of General Purposes and Bro. Muder Motiwalla, Bro. Narang and Bro. Shakir Basrai were elected to the Permanent Committee. W.Bro. Yahya Degani was appointed trustee of the lodge due to the sad demise of R.W.Bro.Dr. Dastoor.
Masonic Honours:
W. Bro.Dr. Mirza Kazerani. P.S.R.G.W.
W .Bro.Dr. Atul Modi. P.Dy.R.G.D of C.
W. Bro. Neemuchwala. P.A.R.G.D of C.
W .Bro. Suber Attari. P.A.G.D of C.
W. Bro. Dinesh Kale. P.R.G.Std. Br.
Initiation: Mr. Keith Lionel Clarkson, foods and beverage manager, Willingdon Sports Club, was proposed by W.Bro.Dr. Atul Modi and seconded by Bro. Mohamed Papar on February 18,1986.
Passing: Bro. Clarkson on March 18,1986. Raising: Bro. Clarkson on July 15,1986.
Resignation: Bro. Shiraz Mohamedbhoy Loyawala on November 19,1986 and W. Bro. Salehbhai Sabir on August 18.1986
.
During the year W.Bro.Dr. Mehta had a very bad car accident whilst on holiday in Manali. W.Bro.Dr. Atul Modi was given the active rank of R.G.Swd. Br.
W. Bro. Abdul Kaiyum Esufali Haveliwala P.M; P.G.I.G; P.J.R.G.W. was called to the Grand Lodge Above on March 19,1985 and Bro. Tajbhoy Alibhoy Vahanvaty in July 1986.
