K V Srinivasan (1937 - 2013)
KUMBAKONAM VENKITARAMAN SRINIVASAN (Past Asst. Grand Director of Ceremony) KVS, was called to the Grand Lodge above on theKVS morning of the 7th May 2013, after a brief illness and a surgery.
He rejoined the Craft in the early eighties after a short hiatus, and became a member of the Lodge of Perfect Unanimity and occupied its Eastern Chair in 1982.
KVS's services to the District need to be recorded and remembered, as I as the former District Grand Master with whom he served the jurisdiction, have cause to know appreciate and acknowldedge. He was appointed District Grand Secretary in 2001 as soon as I was invested as the Ruler of the District, which office he held till 2005 whereafter he was asked to take office as District Grand Treasurer 2007 – 2010. From 2001 – 2013 (Feb.) KVS was the Chairman of the Premises Committee of the Madras Freemasons Hall Trust in which capacity he carried out his duties manfully and impartially at a time of some stress between the constituents of that committee and received the appreciation of all concerned regardless of affiliation.
During this period, KVS was responsible for putting the District administration on an even keel and ensuring particularly, being an experienced professional accountant, that the accounts and finances of the jurisdiction were above reproach.
If the Cornwallis Home today stands as a successful charitable investment of the District, much credit must be given to KVS's intervention and influence, in obtaining the necessary external funding as a Bank loan, to complete this project.
KVS was admittedly a dominating figure, but he was quite prepared to work under a superior also with a strong will, in a common cause – that of Freemasonry and the District administration. KVS was known to have strong views, and to disagree even with his D.G.M. but he was never disagreeable – and once converted by superior reasoning he fell in with full commitment to the task/s involved.
Despite suffering some physical handicaps, he was second to none in his commitment to the tasks at hand, whether in his profession, or in his Masonic activities which disabilities would have more seriously incapacitated a lesser man. KVS was a restless soul in life, may his soul now find eternal peace, with the Gods he loved so well. To his wife and family, his Brethren across the District offer their most heart-felt and sincere condolences.