The history of Freemasonry in the Eastern Archipelago is closely related to the East India Company, when their administrators, sailors and soldiers formed Masonic lodges in the region. With a territory covering Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, and encompassing 5 different languages, District Grand Master of Eastern Archipelago, RW Bro Dato Jeyaraj Ratnaswamy shares his thoughts on how Freemasonry unites Brethren from diverse cultures. "...we are also of all Nations, Tongues, Kindreds, and Languages, and are resolv’d against all Politicks, as what never yet conduc’d to the Welfare of the Lodge, nor ever will." (The Constitutions of the Free-Masons, 1723) RW Bro Dato Jeyaraj Ratnaswamy was born in Kuala Lumpur, attended the University of Sunderland, England and then the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia where he received a Masters in Finance. He was initiated in Freemasonry in 1986 and was installed as the RW District Grand Master & Grand Superintendent by the Assistant Grand Master Sir David Hugh Wootton, on 20th February 2016. In 2009 he was bestowed with the honorific of “Dato” by the HRH Sultan of Pahang for his active participation business circles and supporting numerous charitable homes for the aged and orphanages, both in Malaysia and Overseas. Recorded 8th August 2023. Look out on our social feeds for details of upcoming live webinars and how to register or head to Solomon and click "Discover Freemasonry". Twitter: SolomonUGLE Facebook: SolomonUGLE This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm