Industry Education Headquarters Kolkata Type of business Nonprofit organization | Website www.srai.org Founded 1985 | |
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Similar Australian Skeptics, Círculo Escéptico, Committee for Skeptical, James Randi Educatio, The Skeptics Society | ||
The Science and Rationalists' Association of India (Bengali: ভারতীয় বিজ্ঞান ও যুক্তিবাদী সমিতি, Bharatiya Bigyan O Yuktibadi Samiti) is a rationalist group based in Kolkata, India.
Contents
History
Inspired by Sri Lankan rationalists, Dr. Abraham Kovoor, Bengali rationalists established an organisation called 'Bharater Yuktibadi Samity' on March 1, 1985, the international rationalists' day. Two years later, in 1987, it was renamed as 'Bharatiya Bigyan O Yuktibadi Samiti'. Prabir Ghosh, the author of 'Aloukik Noy Loukik' series is the founder secretary and Dr. Dhirendranath Gangopadhyay was the first president of this organisation. Eminent science communicators Amit Chakraborty, Aparajito Basu, Jugalkanti Ray, Shankar Chakraborty and others were also associated during its formation. In 1986, Ghosh published the first book of the 'Aloukik Noy Loukik' series, debunking various superstitious beliefs. It received wide circulation among Bengali readers of both West Bengal and Bangladesh, and the Rationalists' Association gained popularity.
Activities
The main goal of the organisation is to advocate against pseudoscience, astrology and mysticism.