A brother from India visiting his family in Stamford located Union Lodge No. 5’s website on the internet and decided to visit during the lodge’s Summer Program August 3 Stated Communication.  Worshipful Brother Kiran H. Baxi hails from Tyrrell Leith Lodge No. 43 in Baroda, India (see their lodge website here: http://lodge43.com/).  Tyrrell Leith Lodge No.43 was founded on April 22, 1886. The first warrant from the United Grand Lodge of England was dated May 27, 1886. According to the records of The District Grand Lodge of Bombay, the Lodge was consecrated by late R.W. Bro. Edward Tyrrell Leith, the District Grand Master for Bombay on October 27, 1886. It was in his honor that the Lodge was named "Tyrrell Leith " Lodge. It is one of the Founder Lodges of the Grand Lodge of India and thus from November 24, 1961, bears No.43 and works under its warrant,

WB Baxi is a Past Master and 25-year member of his lodge, and has also held the office of Director of Ceremonies, performing many Installation Programs for incoming Masters.  After a thorough examination including verification that his lodge is recognized by the Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut A.F. & A.M., WB Baxi presented a letter of introduction from his lodge, and also shared a few copies of his lodge's "Summons" which are calls to meetings, similar to those shared by Worshipful Brother Tim Paxton, Union Lodge No. 5’s visitor from the UK. 

Junior Warden Brother David Jackson catered a meal of delicious Indian food from Coromandel restaurant, including vegetarian dishes in honor of WB Baxi, who had informed the brothers he was a vegetarian.  WB Baxi enjoyed the meal tremendously and said it was some of the best Indian food he has ever tasted; he also requested to bring some leftovers home to his wife, as he said she would also enjoy the food.

At the request of Worshipful Master Jon Ringel for the education portion of the program, WB Baxi shared details about freemasonry in India and about his lodge in particular.  Tyrrell Leith Lodge No. 43 practices many charitable acts including donating blankets for the homeless, computers for schoolchildren, and health tests for those in need of medical assistance.  It was indeed an honor and a privilege to have such a distinguished visitor from across the world!