136 years, a long journey for a man but not so for an immortal Masonic Lodge. The Pitt Macdonald Lodge continues its happy trot, creating history and making waves. Right from its consecration in 1867, Pittmac has been in spotlight for some reason or other. It is as though the spirit of the charter members continues to prevail over the successive generations of members in ensuring that Pittmac occupies its enviable position in the District of Madras.

The lodge has on its roll 79 resident and 8 non resident members. The average attendance at the regular meetings is around 30. Such statistics, per se, may not ensure the Lodge a place in the sun but its forays in the field of charity have made Pittmac a cynosure of all Masonic eyes. A consistent charity collection in excess of Rs2000 which on several occasions cross the Rs3000 mark at every meeting is no ordinary feat. And the money so collected is not kept locked up in Term Deposits of Banks but spent on worthwhile charity projects is yet another record that gives Pittmac an aura of distinction. In the current year alone, Pittmac spent more than Rs 3 lakhs on charity projects which include provision of a 25000 litres capacity overhead water tank and twenty toilets at the District Higher Secondary School at Mambakkam. The lodge has already committed to provide a lathe and drilling machine at a cost of Rs50000 at the Corporation School, Nungambakkam. Construction of a Community Center at a 2-ground plot at Injambakkam donated by a member of the Lodge is also in the offing.

The Lodge has conceived its most ambitious Project ever. It is aimed at bringing together the students and faculty of the city's landmark educational institutions and those catering to the lower strata of society. The purpose is to evolve a feeling of mutual empathy at a grass root level in order that all class distinctions are totally eliminated as the students pass through their academic career.

When it comes to contributing to the District Projects, Pittmac acts with the same gusto that is the distinguishing feature of all its actions. The Lodge's contribution to the Cornwallis Masonic Home is around Rs 4 lakhs and the Heritage Fund is around Rs 1.25 lakhs. The Lodge has committed to give Rs 2 lakhs to the Heritage Fund.

Pittmac's hospitality is legendary. The Annual Investiture Meeting held under the banner of the Lodge in 1995 is still remembered with awe by those who took part in it. The Lodge is poised to repeat that performance when it will be the banner Lodge again February 2004. Pittmac extends its wonderful hospitality once a year to the inmates of St.George's School and Orphanage with live music and sumptuous dinner and this year, the event will take place on 5^th December.

Thus the legend of Pittmac lives on and may the GAOTU preserve the spirit of service and unity among its brethren.