A Homage to the distinguished Freemason R
A Homage to the
distinguished Freemason R.W. Bro. S.Chintopanth, P.Dy.G.M.
It is with a
deep sense of sorrow and a heavy heart, that we post this Masonic News about the
very great loss sustained by the Grand Lodge of India in general and the Masonic
Fraternity of Bangalore in particular, in the sad demise on the night of 12 th
February 2006, of a very distinguished and illustrious Freemason, R.W.Bro
Subbarao Chinthopanth , P.Dy.G.M,
who in obedience to the call of the G.A.O.T.U, laid down his working tools and
ascended the Grand Lodge Above, where the world’s Great Architect resides and
reigns forever. The end was peaceful. He retired after his night prayers
to bed and the Lord was pleased to take him, while he was sleeping.
The noble Brother was born in Bangalore on 20th August 1916, in a
distinguished family of the erstwhile Mysore State.
After scholastic Education in Bangalore, he graduated in Industrial
Chemistry from the Benaras Hindu University in 1939, specializing in Ceramics
and served as a Ceramist in Government Porcelain Factory, Bangalore, under the
erstwhile Mysore State Government, in which he had a distinguished service
record and was held in great esteem.
He saw the light of Freemasonry, when he was initiated in Lodge Bangalore
(No.1043 E.C), now 15 G.L.I, on 11th November 1958. He was raised to
the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on 12th May 1959. Commencing as
a Steward of the Lodge in 1960, he served the Lodge with distinction in the
various offices, in which he was appointed and ultimately rising to eminence by
merit, he was chosen by the brethren of the Lodge, to occupy the coveted Eastern
Chair, in which, he was installed in February 1971,as the Ruler of the Lodge,
which post he held with distinction and won the admiration of all the brethren
in Bangalore as well as of the Region. Subsequently, for 15 long years, from
February 1978 to February 1994, he served the Lodge as its Secretary and
thereafter as one of the Bearers of the Vs.S.L.
His first appointment as an officer of the Regional Grand Lodge was in 1974,
when the rank of P.R.G. Steward was conferred on him. Subsequently after
periodic and regular promotions, he was appointed as the Assistant Regional
Grand Master for two consecutive years in 1986-87 and 1987-88 and then was
elevated to the post of Active Deputy Regional Grand Master in 1988.
Twice he was appointed as the Chairman of the Committee for the Ritual Working
Competition in the Region. During his Chairmanship, he ushered in many
beneficial changes including the awarding of Merit Certificates to deserving
Master Masons, for their excellence in the Ritual Working, granting them
recognition and to boost up their enthusiasm.
He served the Regional Board of General Purposes as one of its members
for a long time
The first Grand Rank was conferred on him in 1982 as a Past Grand Inner Guard.
Recognizing his services to Freemasonry, numerous promotions were conferred on
him. Whatever was the post, either as an Active or a Past officer, he held, he
served with dignity and devotion establishing the fact, the merit had always
been his title to the ranks and privileges conferred on him and that on him,
nothing was undeservedly bestowed. The highest rank of Past Deputy Grand Master
of the Grand Lodge of India was conferred on him in 2005.
Royal
Arch : He
was exalted on 28 th August 1960 in Chapter “Eureka” No.1043 E.C, which is
now No.6 of the Supreme Grand Chapter of India, in which he was
Installed as “Z” in 1972. He
was installed as the R.G. II Principal in 1988 and as Past II Grand Principal in
2001. He was Member of the Boards of both Regional and Supreme Grand Chapters.
Mark and
RAM:
He was Advanced in the Mark Degree in the 1960 and slowly rose up to the
Rank of Past Deputy Regional Grand Mark Master and of Junior Grand Warden in the
Grand Mark Lodge.
He was
Elevated in RAM Lodge “Antiquity” No.4 G.M.I on 14th April 1961,
RAM officer’s Ranks both in the Regional and Grand Mark Lodges were conferred
on him.
Lodge
Bangalore Free Masons Hall Trust
was founded mostly due to his initiative and he was one of its Founder Members.
He was its Secretary for many years. He
continued as a member of that “Trust” till his last days. He joined the
“Bangalore Freemasons’ Society in the year 1985 and was the Chairman of the
Society.
R.W.Bro.S.Chintopanth
instituted an Award through the Regional Grand Lodge of South India for “The
Best Mason for the year” in Bangalore, in 1996 and it continues to be awarded
as the Annual Investiture Meetings of Regional Grand Lodge. He had also instituted two awards for the “Best Attendance
of a M.M” in Lodge Bangalore 15. Those awards are being presented annually.
On 10th
January 1994 R.W.Bro. S.Chintopanth was appointed by the Grand Lodge of Ancient,
Free and Accepted Masons of Tasmania (Australia) as its Grand Representative to
the Grand Lodge of India, which office he held until his demise. He was the
Grand Representative of Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Mark
Daheto (USA), to the Supreme Grand Chapter of India.
R.W.Bro.S.Chintopanth
initiated his son Arun Chintopanth in Lodge Bangalore and later Installed him as its Master in February 1982 and this
worthy son of the distinguished father is the present M.W.Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India.
He also
initiated his grand son Bro.Abhay L.Panth in Lodge Bangalore on 13th
May 1999.
He had taken
great interest in Freemasonry until he ascended the Grand Lodge above on 12th
February 2006. He was an elderly brother, who was very kind to all the brethren
and his pleasant smile always exuded brotherly affection and love. His services
to Freemasonry were invaluable and note worthy and he has left an indelible
impression in all our hearts. His demise
had left a great irreparable void, but his services and achievements will
forever be remembered. I am reminded of the following
lines of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
" Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Foot prints on the sands of time.
Foot prints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again."
The greatest homage that can ever be paid to
such a noble and distinguished brother
is to emulate him and adopt all his noble qualities and follow his foot steps.
We are all
praying to the G.A.O.T.U to bless him with everlasting peace and to grant to all
the members of his family strength to bear the loss.
Webmaster.
| 
