Summary:
New Delhi, Nov 29 (PTI) Chartered Accountant Anish Kumar Sharma has taken charge as the new head of the Grand Lodge of India, the apex body of Freemasons in the country, the fraternity said on Monday.Sharma, 72, was installed as the Grand Master of the GLI at an impressive ceremony held on the premises of the Freemason"s Hall on Janpath here in the presence of several senior members of the community."Most Worshpful Bro.
Anish Kumar Sharma was installed as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of India.
He is the 18th Grand Master," said Vishal Bakshi, Grand Secretary of Grand Lodge of India.The internal ceremony took place on Saturday evening, he said.Grand Lodge of India (GLI) is the parent body of over 22,000 Freemasons in the country.
There are masonic lodges in over 160 cities across the country, Bakshi said.Members of the fraternity address each other as "brothers", and only the Grand Master has the title of "Most Worshipful", according to the norms of Freemasonry.GLI is the main governing body of Freemasonry within India.
It completed 60 years on November 24 this year.On November 26, a function to mark the diamond jubilee of the GLI was hosted on the premises of the Freemason"s Hall here, with former Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung as the chief guest.Before the establishment of its own order there were three delegations from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Grand Lodge of Ireland and Grand Lodge of England.After Independence, the structure was reorganised.
Some chose to remain with the United Grand Lodge of England.