ATHEIST Rs. 20 Founder : Gora MARCH 2021

DR.VIJAYAM NAU GORA (DEC 1, 1936 - MAY 22, 2020) (NOV 24, 1948- NOV 7, 2020)

yo Editorial ......

JAI INSAAN.... Warm New Year Greetings, 2021 to all our readers. Owing to the Covid-19Pandemic we could not brought out the issue of Atheist magazine after March 2020. I request all of you to sympathize with the situation and extend your support in future. I am very sorry to inform that the Editor of the magazine and Executive Director of the Atheist Centre, Dr.Vijayam passed away on May 22, 2020. He was survived by only son Vikas Gora, daughter-in-law and grand children. He was remembered by one and all, and condolence messages poured in from across the globe. I recall your attention that he played a crucial role in the success of XI World Atheist Conference(held in January, 2020). Another devastating news for all us is the sudden demise of Mrs. Nau Gora (youngest daughter of Saraswathi and Gora) on November 7, 2020. On behalf of our readers, I pay respectful homage to her. Her contributions to the filed of rural development in coastal have been immense and appreciated by all. In the face of unexpected and sudden emergencies like Covid-19 Pandemic, use of digital technology becomes handy. The current difficult situation has taught this valuable lesson. I request all of you to take note of two important points at this juncture: First,this is the right time for paperless services.We should update our mobile numbers (WhatsApp) and e-mail ids. Also, we should update our address for postal communication. Secondly, we are in electronic era (for example, YouTube).At present, 16 multiple network channels are telecast from the Atheist Centre under the able leadership of Dr. Samaram. I call upon all our esteemed readers to access these channels using the links provided to you. This service can be effectively used to watch the updates of programmes conducted by the Centre. We are hereby giving list of channels: I am happy to share with you all that the Atheist Centre Library has at its disposal various books, souvenirs and year-wise copies of old issues of the Atheist magazine (English Monthly since 1969) and Nasthika Margam (Telugu Monthly since 1977). Interested readers can access them or place orders for the same. Let us continue our fight against superstitions and injustice in whatever form they unfold in the contemporary society.

Jai Insaan An Appeal: Please renew and continue your subscription to Atheist monthly magazine for one year.

2 March, 2021 ATHEIST DrDr. Eric Amit , Former Director, Coady International Institute is No More Harris Royston (Eric) Amit, BA, MA, Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa. Born on January 27, 1929 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Tuan Arifin Amit and Rita Christine (Backhouse) Amit. He also served as assistant secretary in Housing, Fisheries, Trade and Commerce Ministries, and as Land Commissioner. As a young member of the Ceylon Civil Service he represented his country in trade delegations, and was a visiting Queen Elizabeth Fellow at Oxford University. After leaving Sri Lanka, his career included Directing the World Council of Churches’ relief and Dr. Eric Amit rehabilitation program in post-war Bangladesh. (Jan. 27, 1929 :: Feb. 13,2021) He joined Coady as a staff member in 1971. Dr. Harris (Eric) Amit (92), former director of Throughout Dr. Amit’s’s career, he committed Coady Institute passed away on February 13, himself to building a community in the classroom 2021. He served one of its director from 1991 and the world beyond. He organized and taught to 1994 and 1995 to 1996. He played a a course of studies in rural development based on the philosophy of the Antigonish Movement. significant role in the development of Coady’s The course remained at the core of Coady’s transformative learning experience. program for more than 25 years.

ATHEIST CONTENTS Vol.52 No.01 Editorial 2 March 2021 Dr .Eric Amit , passed away 3 - ref :Coady Institute Founder: GORA Editor: G.NIYANTA & Dr. Olos Gora I Learn 5 Annual Subscription: Rs. 240 - Hemalata A Tribute to Dr.Vijayam 6 ATHEIST CENTRE, Benz Circle, - Vidya Bhushan Rawat 520010, AP, INDIA “Jai Insaan” Nau Gora 8 Mobile: 9490754655, 9000961000 - Article from The Hindu E-mail: [email protected] God and Soul 9 [email protected] - Gora WEBSITE: www.atheistcentre.in Marching for Whom ? and What ? 10 A - Dr. Sundar Kompalli

ATHEIST March,2021 3 Dr. Amit was internationally renowned for him so many times in 1980s-90s both in his commitment to humanitarian causes and his Vijayawada and in 2001 & 2005 at Coady work with and on behalf of the world’s poor Institute. His knowledge and experience and and oppressed. In 1995, the United Nations above all, his humility and humbleness was Association recognized his efforts in generating incredible and he is fondly remembered by all tolerance and understanding and in promoting his students. He was a stalwart who has build world peace by naming him a “Global Citizen.” Coady Institute to great heights of success. It is Atheist Centre expressing its deep a great loss to the development sector and condolenses to his family members and society at large. Please accept our condolences. admirers. -Vikas Gora Save The Children - Editor Dr.Eric Amit was a staunch Humanist, down to Voice from Atheist Centre earth person. Amit was not only a good teacher about Dr. Amit adviser, a good friend, a parent , loving and affectionate, critical thought provider but also, Dr Amit was an extrordinary person with human a guide and philosopher. Dr.Amit was touch. I first met Dr Amit in early 1980s when immensely improved all the students abilities and he came to India, to train social development skills with his knowledge, experience and workers associated in disaster programme in humbleness was likely remembered by all the the coastal district of Andhra Pradesh. Leant Coady Graduates. so many skills. I did my studies in Coady International Institute in 1990. Cannot for get I am Hari Subramanyam graduated in 1988, his teaching. He became a guardian for me when Coady Institute. Dr.Amit was very close to I was hospitalised and under went a major me and to Gora family through Atheist Centre, surgery. Daily he visited me 28 days…not even Samskar and Arthik Samata Mandal at leaving one day. A real teacher Amit, as he Vijayawada, India. Dr.Amit was my adviser to understood the feelings, pains and sorrows of my independent study submitted while I was at the students. He walked with us. What I am Coady Institute, 1988. Arthik Samata Mandal TODAY is due to Coady and what I deliver organized two overseas programmes sponsored today is building people’s organisations which by Coady Institute for four years at Vijayawada Amit used to insist. I sincerely sending my whole to Arthik Samata Mandal and other NGO’s staff hearted condolences to family of Amit. He is between 1989 to 1995. Dr.Amit, Dr. Wilf Bean living in me in work. A great tribute to a humane and Ms.Olga were the Course Directors. Eight person. JAI INSAAN. persons (Ch.Rama Krishna, Ms.Vani, Hari -Dr Keerthi Bollineni Subramanyam, Paul Chater, Ms.Sharan Chairperson, Vasavya Mahila Mandali .Rebacca, Ms.Keerthi, Vikas Gora and Ms.Subha Gora) from Arthik Samata Mandal Eric was a very close friend of my father, late were trained in Coady Institue between 1981- Dr Vijayam and conducted many training 2006. All thease 8 persons are engaged in Rural programmes with Arthik Samata Mandal, Community Development Programmes. I met Vijayawada, India. The Gora family has a Dr.Amit again in 2006 in connection with special bondage with him, for his developmental Certificate Course in Advocacy Leadership perspective and grassroots connect. I have met training at Coady. 4 March, 2021 ATHEIST Dr.Amit was one of the most and brawny who condolences to Dr. Amit’s family from Atheist fabricated Coady Institute to a great success in Centre, Arthik Samata Mandal, Samskar and Human Development and leadership in all over also on behalf of all Coady Graduates all over the Globe. It was a immensely loss to many the world. Scholars and Social Development workers like us and the society at huge.Our deep heartfelt -Hari Subramanyam Chairman, Samskar I LEARN with coarse fibre, two glasses and a half crumpled tin box that was the wealth of the home. Every morning they barred the entrance of the hut with laying the cot across and left with their net and a small basket to try their chance of catching a few fish in the ponds that were scattered outside the town. The dog also accompanied them. The haul of fish was exchanged in the market for rice, chillies and salt and they returned home at dusk to continue the routine. To the innocent mind of a little girl, it Hemalata Lavanam did not occur to me why those two should live (Feb 26, 1932 :: March 19, 2008) so poor among the rich who lived in comfort in the bungalows around. Obviously, it did not An old man, his wife and a black dog occur to the two old persons either, because were all the inmates of the dilapidated mud hut they lay resigned to belief in the inevitability of opposite my house. It stood lame and lonely in fate’s decree. a vacant site of about two thousand square meters. The palmyah thatch of the roof was For a month I went out with my parents partly broken and partly blown away by winds. to a relative in another town. On my return, I The old man vainly tried to cover the roof with did not find the hut there. Labourers were rusted tin sheets and pieces of rags which he digging foundations in the side for a temple to collected from rubbish heaps. Rain and sun install the stone idol of a Hindu god. were dreaded visitors whom he could not keep A rich man of the locality donated funds off from his hut. for raising the temple.Where the man, the As a girl, I idly watched the old man woman, the dog , the cot and the pots went, mending his fishing net. The old woman cleared how they lived. But the thought lingered in my out tiny grains of sand and clay from the rice mind. Should man yield place to god? she was preparing to cook. The dog, famished Perhaps, men die for gods to live! Stupid. like his masters but nonetheless faithful, kept 24 June, 1972 -Hemalata Lavanam watch over the four pots, a limping cot stringed ATHEIST March,2021 5 Tribute to Dr Vijayam Renowned humanist and Executive Director, Atheist Center, Vijayawada, passed away on May 22. By Vidya Bhushan Rawat, Activist, New Delhi

Dr Goparaju Vijayam or popularly known as An educationist, she also helped in building a Dr Vijayam, passed away, in the morning today rational humanist discourse through two at his home at the Atheist Center in Vijayawada, magazines started by the atheist Center Andhra Pradesh. The loss is tremendous as far namely Atheist and Nasthik Margam. She was as the humanist movement in India is concern actively involved in building public awareness as Vijayam Garu was one of the pioneers. He through taking science to the villages and youth. was also the Executive Director of Atheist Both were deeply involved in not merely Center founded eighty years ago by his humanism and science promotion but also the illustrious parents Gora and issues of Joginis, who were basically Devdasis in 1940. He was 84 years old and suffering and living miserable life. from Alzheimer and passed away early in the morning at around 5 a.m. on May 22, 2020. Mr Vijayam went to the Martin Luther King Atheist Center in Vijayawada became School of Social Change, Chester, internationally known for its humanitarian work Pennsylvania, and studied the problems of through humanist perspective. The Goras had minorities, black communities and the relevance worked extensively in Andhra Pradesh against of nonviolent social change. In 1969, he was a social evils which included not merely exposing Research Assistant at the University of miracles and inculcating scientific thinking and Delaware and taught political science, political spirit of inquiry among the common people but theory and Constitutions. He earned his second also worked to eradicate caste system through Masters in Political Science from The inter-caste marriages and inter dining. It is not University of Delaware in 1970. He was also that they were encouraging only others to do so. associated with Gandhi Peace Foundation in The entire family has mixed marriages among Delhi as the Director of Research. various communities including the Dalits. And He took over the charge of Atheist Center after this happened not today but long back in early the death of his father Gora and also worked fifties and sixties. as the Director of Training, Arthik Samata Vijayam Garu was well read and deeply Mandal, a Gandhian organization founded by committed to the cause of humanism and Gora and JC Kumarappa, which involved in rationalism. After completing his Master of Arts comprehensive rural development in over 150 in Political Science from Andhra University, villages. Visakhapatnam in 1961-63 he taught at Andhra University, Waltair before going to the United Mr Vijayam was the editor of Atheist, English States. monthly, published from from Atheist Centre, Vijayawada since 1977. He authored His wife Sumathi stood with him through thick six books and wrote more than 1000 articles in and thin and complimented him ideologically.

6 March, 2021 ATHEIST English, Telugu and Hindi on atheism, non-violent The 80 years of Atheist Center along with social change and developmental issues. 11th World Atheist Conference was organized on 4-5th January 2020 at Atheist Centre, His actively promoted and encouraged Vijayawada. A large number of activists, developmental work through the perspective of intellectuals participated in it. The issue of humanism and atheism. Citizenship Act was raised powerfully by many I participated in a panel discussion during the of the speakers. Vijayam ji was not in good World Humanist Congress held in Amsterdam health yet he was very active and wanted to in 1992 on the issue of humanism in social participate in various conferences. As usual, action. Many of the participants felt that he would first ask about whether we have got humanism was a philosophy and has nothing to a place to stay or had our breakfast or tea. He do with developmental work but Mr Vijayam used to take care of each participant and a very supported it wholeheartedly. In fact, the world warm host. of Atheist Center is an example for all the My personal association with him started developmental organization to work in social life since September 2002 when I came to with a secular approach. participate in a conference organized by the For over 40 years, Dr Vijayam was actively Andhra Pradesh Rationalist Association’s involved in the promotion of environment annual event at Kakinada and Vijayam ji had awareness. He was invited to the World translated my speech. After that we started Environment Conference hosted by the French interacting regularly and I was astonished to Government held in Paris in December 1991. see the ground work of Nastik Kendram in The Atheist Center in Vijayawada is known and Vijaywada. The interesting part is that the entire acknowledged for hosting World Atheist family or extended family is completely Conferences since 1972. In fact, he has been dedicated to the cause of atheism. By that time, the main force behind organizing these events I was still unable to comprehend why and getting connected to international developmental agenda is not truly secular or participation. While his brother Lavanam too humanist in nature. Once, I saw the work being had been very active in public life, it was Vijayam done by Atheist Center and various organization who ensured that the event is organized and started by the Gora family, I realized it can planned meticulously. Ofcourse, the entire Gora be done and is important. It is not essential for family and relations get involved in organizing us to agree on everything but I realized one the event and ensure it is done successfully. thing that despite differences, I got opportunity Their personal touch has made the place a to speak at these platforms. center for many humanist activists who visit Our condolences are with Atheist Center and atheist center from faraway places right from Gora family. Humanist family has lost a stalwart Punjab, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and his presence will be deeply missed in the Odisha, Maharashtra, as well as nearby states coming days particularly whenever we will visit of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Telangana. Since the center and participate in future World then, Atheist Center has organized eleven world Atheists Conferences but we are sure that the atheist conferences in which a large number of show will go on for which he dedicated his life. people from not only India but also different sourrce: https://sabrangindia.in/article/tribute- parts of the world participated. dr-vijayam ATHEIST March, 2021 7 “Jai Insaan” Nau Gora

After marriage with Veeraiah, a Gandhian, she lived in Delhi for six years. In 1977, when tidal wave struck the Divi taluk in Krishna district, she came rushing to contribute her mite in the relief and rehabilitation works taken up on a massive scale. Prabhakarji, an associate of in , organised a ‘Shav Sena’ of volunteers to remove the dead bodies of humans and carcasses. Ms. Gora, along with her spouse Veeraiah, took active part in it. - Special Correspondent, The Hindu , Nov, 8, 2020 (Share Article) Sri Veeraiah, Nau Gora Sabala Gora, Rahat Gora with Dr. George Willoughby, Gandhian, Quaker Leader, USA

Social worker and women’s rights activist Nau Statement about ownership and other Gora died in the early hours of Nov. 7, 2020. particulars about News Paper The ninth child of social reformers Goparaju ATHEIST Ramachandra Rao, popular as Gora, and wife as per Rule 8 of the Registrar of Saraswathi Gora, Ms. Nau died of septicemia. News Paper (Central) Rules 1956 As secretary of Arthik Samata Mandal FORM – IV (ASM), she worked extensively and 1. Place of Publication : Athiest Centre, relentlessly for the uplift of the marginalised Vijayawada-10 sections. 2. Periodicity of its publication : Monthly 3. Printer’s Name, G. Niyanta, Indian. A believer in Gandhian, humanist and secular Nationality & Address : Benz Circle, Vijayawada-10. values, she dedicated 40 years of her life to 4. Publisher’s Name, reach out to people in need of help in various Nationality & Address : – do – forms. 5. Editor’s Name, Nationality & Address : – do – After earning a graduation from Maris Stella 6. Names and Address of : G. Niyanta, Athiest Centre individuals who own the Benz Circle, College, Vijayawada and a post-graduation news paper. : Vijayawada-10. from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, she 7. I, G. Niyanta hereby declare that the particulars given above went to the U.S. to undertake a course in are true to the best my knowledge and belief. ‘Peace and Non-Violence’. 28th February, 2021 (Sd.) G. Niyanta (Publisher)

8 March, 2021 ATHEIST GOD AND SOUL

The concept of soul is as much a falsehood as wide inequalities among them are direct results god is. Primitive people conceived the idea of of the theistic faith. Therefore if knowledge god to explain the meaning of wind, rain, sun should be real and morality should be sound, and other phenomena. They understood them the faith is god and soul should be replaced by as creation of god. Earlier each phenomenon scientific method and social obligation for was supposed to be inhabited by a spirit of hu- acquiring knowledge and sustaining morality man form and feeling. respectively. The change entails a revolution in the outlook and in the ways of life. But the The notion of soul came in to explain dreams revolution is necessary to save mankind from and death. Primitive people understood dreams superstition, fanaticism, war, prejudice and as the rambles of a detachable part of the body, poverty which we have inherited through ages called soul, in strange lands. They thought that of faith in god and soul. the soul returned to the body on awakening from sleep. The non-return of the soul to its body 16 July, 1969 -GORA was deemed as death. The respect for the disembodied soul constituted ancestral worship which formed a part of primitive religious faith. God / god ; He / it Faith is the existence of god and of the soul Question: why do you write God together provided easy explanations for all with the small letter ‘g’ and use ‘it’ phenomena and silenced the restless for god? inquisitiveness of ignorant people. Growth of scientific knowledge understands phenomena Answer: God is an idea and therefore including birth, consciousness dream and death deserves no more respect or in a different way which needs no belief in god consideration than other ideas. Being or in soul. Yet the belief had remained because an idea, it is appropriate to denote it codes of morals were based on it. There is a by the neuter pronoun ‘it’. The use of lurking fear that this basis for moral conduct is ‘He’ for god signifies the traditional disturbed if the faith is given up. Hence frantic superiority of man but not correct efforts are made in modern times to maintain thinking the faith in god and in soul through metaphysical - Gora sophistry and through threats of persecution. In spite of the primitive uses of explaining away the meaning of phenomena and providing a “Religion has become an excuse for sanction for moral conduct, the faith in god and inactivity; and power-politics have soul corrupted life in the long run, since god become an excuse for ill-activity. and soul are fundamentally false. The immense - Lavanam ignorance of the vast masses of people and the

ATHEIST March, 2021 9 Marching for Whom and What? A Brief on Social Unity March, 1989

established in modern period with three major epoch-making marches: the foot march by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930 (called Salt March or Dandi March) and Marching for Land(Bhoodan Padayatra, 1951) and the famous Chambal Valley Foot March (1960) by Acharya . These were the marches undertaken for social unity by selfless leaders of Indian society. The legacy was continued by Gora and his family. Particular mention must be made here “Unity Foot March” Inaugurated by to Gora’s foot march to Delhi against the pomp Saraswathi Gora, Jan. 30, 1989 in public life (late 1960s) and the historical foot Foot marches in India (especially march for social unity undertaken by Lavanam Andhra Pradesh) in the recent period have be- and Hemalata Lavanam during 1989 after the come popular for two reasons: first, the popular murder of a popular Kapu leader of Congress leaders who undertook these marches have Party at Vijayawada. added colour and canter to the process and sec- It needs a mention that configuring ondly, most of these recent marches aimed at caste relations and caste awareness (20th political power. The element of selfless approach century emphasized) necessarily deals with to a public cause is comfortably lost in political socio-economic and socio-cultural changes. maneuvering. The beginning of 20th century witnessed, along The habit of Foot March in Indian with other developments in society and polity subcontinent has been a part of socio-economic emergence of caste associations with specific life of different social strata. While footing and defined objectives. Understandably enough, shorter distances was always recommended by as the years rolled by emerged a vertical people, there was no other option, of course, disjuncture between economically dominant for the commuters in the past but to undertake upper non-Brahman castes and other lower foot travel to places of work and many other non-Brahman sections in society. It was a places. During ancient and medieval periods willful departure from the proclaimed principles sages, seers and saints, in addition to business of caste solidarity. Added, it hinted at a people and the troupes of army foot-marched conscious attestation of social status quo often to various places to fulfil their obligations whereby hierarchy within non-Brahman castes and self-shouldered assignments. was maintained. The social significance of foot march The cleavage widened and the caste was more pronounced, reoriented and differences were stretched to the logical 10 March, 2021 ATHEIST extremes in Andhra Pradesh politics. They reported to have capped the highly volatile social finally resulted in the ghastly murder of a popular sentiments and re-established working human public representative in 1988. The act engulfed relations between the disturbed segments. The the region in caste-violence and the attendant Atheist Centre was appreciated by government, property loss was enormous. Nobody came bureaucracy and political leaders for forward to strike peace between the warring undertaking a timely remedy, and contributing social sections. The daring step was to social cohesion and unity at a critical historical contemplated, planned and executed by juncture in Andhra Pradesh. Lavanam and Lavanam and Hemalata Lavanam of the Hemalata Lavanam were truly recognized as Atheist Centre with the slogan, ‘March for modern-day social soothsayers by the Casteless Society’. The 1300-kilometre foot contemporary society. march spanning over three calendar months and -Sundar Kompalli M.A., Ph D., thirteen coastal districts was rated by Secretary, Samskar contemporary media and society as the best Mob: +91 94823 64838 social cementing force. The foot march was

GORA & SARASWATHI GORA INTERNATIONAL ATHEIST RESEARCH INSTITUTE GSGIARC Certificate Courses offered from the academic year 2021

for more details ...... Atheist Centre, Benz Circle, Vijayawada 520010, AP, India Contact: +919848124977, 9390577119 Mail: [email protected],[email protected], Website: www.atheistcentre.in

ATHEIST March, 2021 11 Regd No. VJ / 037 / 2021-2023 ATHEIST March, 2021 Valid upto 31.12.2023 Registered with Registrar of Newspapers R.N. 68926/75 (Date of publication: March 10, 2021 and date of posting March 11-12, 2021) pages 12

Dr. Samaram’s 16 Multi Channel Network

Edited and published by G. Niyanta Atheist Centre, Benz Circle, Vijayawada - 520 010 and printed by him at Akshaya Graphics & Printers, Vijayawada - 520 002. Editor : G. Niyanta