activities
October 31, 2007
Center for Inquiry India declared 2007-2008 as publication period. The
writings of Richard Dawkins ( God Delusion), Sam Harris ( A letter to
Christian Nation), Paul Kurtz ( Living without religion, Courage to
become, Humanist Manifesto, Secular Humanism) are translated into
Indian languages-Telugu, Hindi, Tamil. On 28 sep 2007 the Telugu
translations were present to Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris in
International Atheist Alliance convention at Washington DC.
CfII opened a library at its head quarters in Hyderabad India which
is named as Paul Kurtz library. The formal inauguaration will take
place in colloboration with a university.
CFII launched programs from 2006 feb with grand inauguration at
Hyderabad, India. Prof David Triggel, Amaradeo Sarma from Germany, Mr
Austin Dacey from New York participated in the inauguration with
presentations on Astrology, Homeopathy, Scientific method. Dr
Jayaprakash Narayan, Dr P M Bhargava, Chandana Chakravarthy, Dr Santi
Sri, Dr Aruna subhash, Dr M.V.Rao, Dr N.Bhaskararao spoke on various
aspects of social , cultural problems.
CFII continued its programs in cooperation with several like minded
organizations like Indian Secular society, Indian Radical Humanist
Association, and conducted camps, study classes and meetings.
Media cooperated with CFII in exposing the fradulent cult Gurus
and alternative medicines along with superstitions, myths and blind
beliefs.Astrology, geomancy (vaastu in India) were the two menacing
beliefs that are eating the vitality of people in India. CFII
constantly exposed these elements and also fighting legal battles to
eradicate them. The High court of Andhra Pradesh admitted writ
petition filed against the teaching of courses in geomancy and
astrology in universities, with particular referrence to Potti
Sriramulu University in Hyderabad.
CFII conducted seminar cum conferences on Women and Secularism,
Child abuse by religions, Population control. Mr Hugo Estrella from
Italy participated in the seminar on population with a message from
Paul Kurtz.
CFII opened chapters at Delhi, the capital of India with Dr
Jugal Kishore as director. Another branch was opened in Pune with Dr
Santi Sri , professor of Interntional studies as director.
CFII conducted experiments in schools to educate on
astrology which attracted the teachers and students.
CFII organised magic shows with the help of Mr Vikram,
member of CFII. This is mainly to propagate the scientific temper
among people with particular reference to students.
Posters are exhibited to show the atrocities on women by religions
, child abuse by religions which attracted the media.
On 9 august 2007 book release function was organised
at press club, Hyderabad. The books released are: Telugu translation
of Shodh, novel by Taslima Nasrin . Telugu translation of Wild Swans,
by Jung Chang translated by Venigalla Komala , director of CFII.
Taslima Nasrin released the books and spoke about fundamentalism and
its menacing role. After the function, majlis ittehad muslim
organization people along with three legislators came and attacked
Taslima Nasrin, N.Innaiah and others. Police came after 15 minutes and
arrested them and took Taslima away from the scene.Later she was sent
to Kolkata. This incident was condemned by all political parties, all
organizations which rallied in support of CFII. The media played major
role in support of CFII.
CFII planned to declare annual award to best media person
who promotes scientific temper in India. This will commence from 2008.
CFII undertook a research project to study the attitude
of scientists in India on belief systems . Thousand scientists are
selected for the study and questionnaire was sent to them. It was
preceded with a sample survey.
Master Rohit has conducted a student project on Charles
Darwin`s Evolution versus intellegent design which was presented in
the conference of Population at Hyderabad.
The atheist center at Vijayawada, The Dravid Khazagam
at Chennai are the active supporters of CFII actitivies and their
representatives participated in all the activities.
CFI New Zealand is cooperating with CFII on the project of Child abuse
by religions.
Also Mr Kosmin from Trinity college, Hartford USA is colloborating in
the project on study of scientists regarding belief systems.
CFII called ministers at State and Center level
governments to represent on various issues like superstions,
seperation of religion and government and public policies in favor of
secularism.Ms Purandreswari, Human resources minister at Delhi
participated in the seminar on Child abuse by religions, organised by
CFII.
CFII organised a federation of all associations in
India and took the cooperation in various activities. This umberella
organization under the leadership of Mr Premanand, the famous skeptic
helped CFII in various secular, scientific activities.
The activities of CFII got good publicity in media,
both print media and electronic media. Often interviews were conducted
with CFII representatives on issues like astrology, superstitions,
seperation of state and religion, geomancy, cult gurus, religious
fradulent roles.
CFII is now planning to organise a unique museum of
superstitions with its own premises and with a mobile van. The
collection of various tatoos, symbols and things that represent
different superstitions in various countries with detailed descrition
is planned. It will be kept in Website after completing the project.
The representative things will be kept in mobile van so that it can go
round to schools and educate the teachers and students on scientific
method and blind belief.
