W.Bro.Sushil Raj was initiated into Freemasonry at Lodge Vivekananda No.254, Kanyakumari on the 12th of December l987. He was Passed in January 1988 and Raised in March 1988; his maternal uncle W.Bro.R.Gainneos, a Past Master of Lodge Trivandrum No.168, conducted both the ceremonies.
Bro.Sushil Raj was quick to imbibe the principles and tenets of Freemasonry, which he soon started taking keen interest in Ritual Working and has made a daily advancement by holding the various offices of the Lodge, ultimately ascending the Eastern Chair of Lodge Vivekananda as its youngest Master in 1994. He has had a vibrant year as Master, making significant contribution towards the formation of Vivekananda Masonic Charitable Trust, which paved the way for the construction of the beautiful temple at the seashore in Kanyakumari. He distinguished himself as the first Master of the Lodge to be selected to the second stage of Ritual Working Competition and was awarded the Pandyan Trophy, an achievement that stands unequalled even today.
W.Bro Sushil is the Founder Master of Lodge Travancore No.329, Founder of Lodge Thamiravarni No.289 and member of Lodge Trivandrum No.168, Madras Masters Lodge No.103 and Kerala Masters Lodge No.309.
He was exalted in Chapter Minchin No.2710 E.C, advanced in Mark Lodge Sivajnanam No 877 E.C and elevated in RAM Lodge Kudal No.17. He is a founder of Chapter Kanyakumari No. 87, Dakshin Principals Chapter No.103, Mark Lodge Kanyakumari No.76, Dakshin Mark Masters Lodge No 100, RAM Lodge Kanyakumari No 76, RAM Lodge Thiruvananthapuram No.82, RAM Lodge Chera, Palayamkottai, and RAM Lodge Kottayam. He will be installed as Supreme Ruler of Trivandrum Conclave No.127, this year, which is the Golden Jubilee year of this Conclave.
W.Bro.Sushil has passed the Chair in all the superior degrees. He also served a second term as W.Commander in RAM Lodge Thiruvananthapuram where was installed by the then R.W.the Regional Grand Master and the present M.W the Grand Master, M.W.Bro. Arun Chintopanth O S M.
W.Bro.Sushil Raj was adjudged as the Second Best Zerubabel of the Region during 1999 and his Chapter was declared the Second Best Chapter and the Principal Sojourner, the Second Best in the Region.
His zeal and dedication to Masonry were rewarded by conferment of Ranks both Past and Active from the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India. He has held the Active Ranks of RGIG, RG Supdt of Works, RG BVSL, and the coveted Rank of Regional Grand Director of Ceremonies in the year 2002.
His sterling performance as Director of Ceremonies of the Region left a lasting impression on the brethren of the Region, especially his proclamation at the Annual Investiture Meeting of the RGL at Coimbatore. Since then, the post of D of C became synonymous not only of skill and authority but also of glamour. W.Bro Sushil has also officiated as Grand Director of Ceremonies at the Consecration of Lodge Kalinga No.337, Lodge Bheemli No.338, and Lodge Steel City No.339 and also at the Banner Dedication of Lodge Travancore No.329, during the tenure of M.W.Bro.D.D.Udeshi OSM, as Grand Master.
W.Bro.Sushil Raj has travelled extensively in India and abroad, and has had the opportunity of attending Lodge Meetings in all the four Regions in India.
W.Bro Sushil Raj was actively involved in the Grand Festival and RGL Meetings organised in Trivandrum and Kanyakumari and this rich experience stood him in good stead as the Chairman of the Organising Committee of RGL - 2004 at Thiruvananthapuam, which turned out to be an experience par excellence. In due recognition of his skill and assiduity, R.W.Bro.Dr.Balaram Biswakumar conferred upon him the highest past rank that he could confer on any brother of the region, the rank of P Dy RGM. He presently holds the Rank of P.II Asst.R.G.Soj, P.R.G.D (Mark), and RAM R.G.O.
Born as the eldest son of Sri.Retna Raj and Smt. Edith, on the 14th of March 1957,Sushil had his early education in Holy Angels Convent and St. Joseph's School. After his Degree from the University College, Trivandrum, he secured his Masters Degree in Social Work, with Distinction from the Loyola College of Social Sciences, specialising in Personnel Management. Being campus selected, he worked with ITDC. Kovalam for about a year and then joined his family business of furnishing industry. Under his management the industry flourished and now possess an impressive list of clientele from India and abroad.
The Loyola College offered him not only his Masters Degree but also his partner in life- Premi. They were married on 3rd September l981, and they have three children - three boys. Premi is a gifted artist and painter and her skills in fine arts keeps her actively involved as a designer in the family business. Premi also supports Sushil in his Masonic activities and she was the Chairperson of the Ladies of the Fraternity during 2002 - 03. Sushil is an avid reader, plays musical instruments, interested in crosswords and is an occasional golfer.
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