'Women Freemasonry' arrives in India with 'brotherly love'

New Delhi [India], Nov. 24 (ANI): Indian women, of late, have started having a larger say in the way society functions and projects itself. An example of this is Sadhana Rao, the first woman from India who became a member of The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (HFAF), London. In a first of its kind, she has taken the initiative in laying the foundation of 'Women Freemasonry' in India through a series of ceremonies at DLF City Club-3 in Gurugram, Haryana, from November 26. Freemasonry has existed in India since 1729 and some eminent persons, who have been part of this organisation, were Swami Vivekananda, Dr. C. Rajendra Prasad et al. Speaking to ANI over phone, Sadhana Rao said, "My husband is an active member of Freemasons and I found the activities carried out by the Organisation very commendable. These made me think-why not bring Women Freemasonry to India and involve other like-minded Indian women like in the U.S. and the U.K." She said the function will be a nine-day affair, beginning from November 26. Twenty Indian candidates will undergo a series of ceremonies to become 'Master Masons'. The First Lodge in India -'Lodge Bharati-56'- will be consecrated. These ceremonies will be conducted by a delegation of 20 Grand Lodge Officers from HFAF London. She said the vision of Women Freemasons of India is to spread the principles of brotherly love, relief and truth associated with the moral and spiritual values in order to make the world a better place to live in, to different parts of India. "Charity is the predominant character of every Freemason. We strive to achieve high standard in our own personal life. Our mission is to work towards girl education in the near future," she added. (ANI)