Nkokonjeru Lodge laid on yet another incredible evening of high drama, executed with the accuracy and precision of a compass. Bro. Bakul Shah who is certified blind, was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in a ceremony that was intricately planned and masterfully executed.
Given Bakul’s visual impairment, much of the ceremony that those of us who are fully sighted take for granted, had to be meticulously planned, and great care was taken to fully explain every facet of the third-degree tracing board. To highlight the attention to detail Bro Balbinder Chana SD, who presented the working tools of a MM, carefully guided Bro Bakul’s hand over the implements so they could be formally recognised during the explanation. The architect behind this exceptional work was W. Bro Rutvig Patel, who, as DC, guided his team throughout with a calm authority and delivered potentially the most articulate and detailed Traditional History ever seen in our Province.
W.Bro Mahesh Rajdev, is the third generation of the Rajdev family to have served as WM of the Nkokonjeru Lodge (his Grandfather was a Founder of Nkokonjeru Lodge 7631 East Africa in 1959), he not only oozed confidence from the chair, but also set a high bar for the brethren who assisted in the ceremony W. Bro Vinay Pattni was exemplary in the First part of the Exhortation up to Bro Wardens, followed by W. Bro Parimal Patel who completed the Exhortation with equal poise. W. Bro Rajan Shah then delivered the Charge in his own unique and inimitable way, before the candidate retired from the Lodge and on his return W. Bro Rutvig rounded off the ceremony as previously explained.
Bro. Bakul was initiated into Nkokonjeru Lodge just 1 year ago and he keeps the lodge members on their toes, reciting his answers word-perfect. To underscore his rapid progress in the lodge, Bro. Bakul started the day as IG under the careful guidance of W. Bro Vinay Pattni. He is also no slouch outside of the lodge, Bakul is also setting the pace on global travel and has set foot on all 7 continents, including Antarctica.
As if the evening was not historical and spectacular enough, it was attended by W. Bro Paul Sully PSGD, APGM on an official visit, supported by his Provincial escort of W. Bros Lloyd Bubb DC, W. Bro Finlay Kemp ProvJGD, W. Bro Michael Blake ProvJGD, W. Bro Gurveer Padam ProvGStwd & W. Bro Matthew Jennings ProvGStwd.
Each of whom added an extra wow factor to the occasion. There were also a further 3 Grand Officers present, including the Provincial Grand Treasurer, W. Bro Kanti Mistry PAGDC, W. Bro Sanjiv Shah PJGD and W. Bro. Manji Patel PGStB.
W Bros Mahendra Rajdev and Kanti Mistry.
The Lodge were also celebrating a number of milestone birthdays with W.Bro Billy Ahluwalia turning 70 on 29th October, W. Bro Bharat Shah turning 70 on 22nd October and W. Bro Shashikant Mistry who was made an Honorary Member on the day, reaching the ripe young age of 75 on the 21st October…. The three of these worthy Masons having notched up 136 years of Freemasonry between them. Needless to say, it was drinks all round at the bar!
But Nkokonjeru is not just a Lodge of pretty faces (though there are a few); they are also passionate about supporting Charities at every opportunity. The Lodge Charity Steward W. Bro. Satish Acharya announced the upcoming Middlesex31 Festival and then went about his business of fundraising for the St. Mark’s Hospital Charity, with his usual gusto and determination.
The evening was rounded off with W. Bro Martin Burt standing down as the Lodge Visiting Officer and handing over to W. Bro Paul Lowery PProvSGW as the new Lodge VO. The WM thanked W. Bro Martin for his 8 years of service and presented him with a set of hand-blown whisky glasses and a pair of Nkokonjeru cuff links as a token of appreciation.
The Festive Board was a poignant celebration of all that is good of Freemasonry in general and of the Nkokonjeru Lodge in particular. Not to be outdone, Lodge founder and elder statesman W. Bro Mahendra Rajdev rightly remonstrated that his upcoming 91st birthday in early November had not been mentioned alongside the others, drinks all round was the cry.
A fantastic evening, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone in attendance but most especially by Bro Bakul Shah, who is a future star of the Lodge.
Story submitted by W Bro Martin Burt PProvJGW
Edited by W Bro Peter Swatton ProvGCO.
