Lodge Mysore No. 1841 in Madras.
In an address to the lodge on June 9, 1956:
I have been attracted to Freemasonry of my own freewill and
accord, because it is an International Brotherhood with
worldwide interests and its spirit appears as comprehensive and
embracing as the globe itself. This brotherhood represents an
idealism in which national and racial boundaries find no place...
...Light—Light—and more Light is what all of us need in
abundant measure. Most of us would remember the story of
that Greek Philosopher Diogenes, who used to walk about the
streets of Athens with a lighted lantern in his hand even during
the day time. Children used to follow him about and make fun of
him for doing that. But, when intelligent and grown up folk
asked him why he carried a lighted lantern, Diogenes used to
say “ what we need in the World is intellectual illumination”...
...We, Masons have a great task to perform. We are builders of a
great city yet to be. Since the dawn of civilization, many cities have
been built-some have been selfish and sordid, none has been
perfect. Jerusalem has been termed the city of faith, Rome, the city
of law, Athens, the city of Philosophy, London, the city of Liberty and
Mysore, the city of Beauty. There is still one city yet to be built. The
building of that city is our special task, our sacred responsibility and
our rare privilege and that city is the City of Fraternity...
