HISTORY OF OUR ORGANIZATION

1985

Our journey started on 1 March under the banner of Bharatio Yuktibadi Samiti (Indian Rationalist Association).

A radio programme, titled ‘A Few Words About Astrology’ arranged by its science section and anchored by our the then general secretary Prabir Ghosh, gave our movement a robust spin. The talk was broadcast on 18th July followed by several repeat transmissions. Four renowned astrologers took part in the programme and were smashed. Reaction was overwhelming. The whole programme or part thereof was incorporated in some dramas. News was also flashed in the print media. People were literally rocked and attracted to our movement. 

1986 

Calcutta saw a band of spirited youth debunking the myth of miracle so nudely in a prestigious public programme at Calcutta Book Fair ground that year. People were greatly moved by the demonstration and many of them joined us later.

1987

A new chapter evolved in the history of our movement. Our association got a facelift on its banner. The word Bigyan (Science) was inserted in its title and henceforth it became Bharatia Bigyan o Yukitbadi Samiti (Science and Rationalist’s Association of India).

1988

We busted the fraudulent racket manned by Surath Mandal alias Dabbaa, a Roman Catholic of Baigachhia, 24 pgs (S) in June.

December 12 would be marked as a Red Letter Day in the eventful history of our association. Altogether three famous godmen---Ipsita, the witch queen, VC of Sai Education International and astropalmist Narendranath Mahato, were challenged to prove their power at a press conference arranged at the Calcutta Press Club on the day.

Surprisingly enough, though they all accepted our challenge and the news was well published, none of them dared to turn up at the press conference. Eventually our activists performed some feats before the journalists present at the venue. And the news captured banner headlines the next day following consecutive narratives and causeries.

1989 

Mehebub Ali’s (Bongaon, 24 Pgs N) intention to became an upstart in an easy way by promoting his calf as a mythological ‘wishing cow’ was foiled with the help of Bongaon Science Club, the then brother organization of SRAI. It later amalgamated with our organization.

Rupraj, a young thaumaturg, alias ‘water nymph’ (male), famous for his miraculous power to stay under water for hours, himself challenged us and was consequently ruined.

Marred by our challenge Goutam Bharati, another godman renowned for his unique photo hypnosis, attempted to kill himself out of frustration, giving a plethora to our movement, Sadananda Deb Thakur, a God incarnate, empowered to fecundate infertile women by amulets etc. was challenged in December. But he kept silent.

1990

Chief Priest Basudev Das of Tarakbhola Shiva temple at Baranagar, which is revered as a shrine next to Tarakeswar, was challenged to prove his healing power. But such a noble intention of ours was simply dishonoured.

Tantrik Nirmalananda of Tarapith came in the lime light of media by showing his extraordinary miraculous feats in accordance with the tantras. He made a human skull smoke and drink before a group of journalists. Consequently we announced our challenge. He proclaimed counter challenge. But when we zoomed our retort he sank into the abyss of silence.

Four lady stalwarts in the arena of Astrology – Manimala, Lopamudra, Prianka and Paramita were challenged to prove astrology to be scientific. They accepted our challenge, created some hullobaloo through their patron-media and expectedly made off like other humbugs.

A poltergeist called Kaach Bhut (glass ghost) which kept frightening the neighbourhood of DumDum by its queer character of breaking all glassy substances at a local residence, created an all pervading sensation. Media hype gave it an acceleration. As we entered the scene, ghostly affairs disappeared.

1991

Yukitbadi (The Rationalist), our mouthpiece blared the trumpet of its arrival.

Huzur Saidabadi of Bangladesh, a vile criminal under the guise of a godman was exposed in February.

Saibaba of Puttaputti, Bangalore was invited once again to confront our challenge through a wide circulated daily but no response arrived.

1992

Against the promotion of astrology on Doordarshan a vehement protest rally was organized and a huge demonstration staged in front of the Calcutta Doordarshan compound. Following our protest, punitive measures were taken against the staffs involved in the perpetration of doordarshan’s principle.

Our massive protest against Morris Cerullo’s miracle jamboree gave our movement a new eagre. We got an international mileage. Besides other media, the Sambad Bichitra, published from New York contributed its cover page of November edition to promote the news.

North Bengal Zonal committee of SRAI launched its own spokes-magazine ‘Manusher Katha’.

1993 

The magnitude of our consistent propagation forced the state government to declare the pandemic outbreak of a disease as cholera instead of gastroenteritis, which they previously had paid no head to and callously turned down all facts we furnished as calumnies.

‘Santaldal’, a religious gangster formed by a self-styled guru Balak Brahmachari, was made a laughing stock when they tried to cash in on the demise of their preceptor branding it as a ‘trance’. Not only we refuted all of their tall claims, but volunteers of our association went into the ‘trance’ to bust the process of a going-to-be miracle.

Arrest of our 102 activists in consequences of showing protest against the President’s participation in a religion-meet organized by Ramkrishna Mission gave us a new familiarity and our movement was widely acclaimed.

First issue of Kishore Yuktibadi, another spokes-magazine for the youth was published by our central committee.

1994

Chakdah and Behala unit brought our their organs, ‘Palta Srot’ and ‘Bijnan Pradip’, respectively. Central committee too published another satirical periodical ‘Berosik Parasuram’.

Rationalists were assaulted at an astrological jamboree by the hired rowdies of astrologers on 27 February. Henceforth the day is observed as a Black day.

Massive rally was organized and dharna staged in front of Calcutta Doordarshan Bhaban to register our protest against the telecast of unscientific, vulgar and demoralizing programmes on Doordarshan. Also submitted was a charter of demands. Many renowned intellectuals joined this moment. Some positive outcome was perceived.

1995

A documentary film named Guru Busters made on rationalist movement in India was aired the world over in September on Channel IV of UK. The film rumpled the image of some Indian godmen as well as exposed their nexus with political leaders. Previews and reviews of the film were published in The Independent, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, Sunday Mirror the Observer Review, the Times etc giving our movement an international fame. On 10 October John Burns wrote an almost full page report, titled ‘ Indian Guru Busters debunk all that mystical’ in the New York Times.

Several ‘elite’ practitioners of alternative system of medicines were made to appear at a press conference at Calcutta Press Club on 10 August. An expert committee was also formed on our behalf to determine the efficacy of their systems. This was probably the first such step in India. The high profile doctors of alternativism were provided with patients according to their wishes. But they turned their back when it came to arrange the second press meet in November.

Rumour of Ganesh idol drinking milk was debunked by our association in September. The explanation was widely acclaimed by the people of all spheres. The news was reported with due Importance in The Times, The Telegraph, The New York Times, The Independent etc and on BBC.

1996

Our own publication wing Muktachinta was formed in January.

Two branch organizations launched their own mouthpieces. North Bengal zonal committee altered the name of their spokes-magazine Manusher Katha in March and it assumed the new name as Muktamon. Bankura zonal committee published ‘Alore Dishari’ in August.

Baidyapur and Bongaon branches started publishing in January and October, by the names of their magazines Yuktir Chasma and Mukta bhabna, respectively. The year 1996 is also remarkable in the history of our movement for another reason. We conquered the treachery of Prabir Ghosh, the then general secretary of our association and expelled him on different criminal charges and moral turpitudes.

1997

Our persistent efforts at last pierced the deaf ears of the police authority. Huzur Saidabadi was arrested in February on his arrival in Calcutta.

We opposed the beatification of Mother Teresa even taking the risk of being ostracized for not being in the hackneyed fashion.

Bankura zonal committee carried out several successful investigations and exposed several religious frauds. Bani Das of Rajgram, Horipada Maji of Jaltore and Baidyanath Hembrom of Moyra were three such cheats.

The racket of a fake MD who, by impersonation cheated hundred of patients with different ailments, was busted in June. We took the case to the State Consumer Redressal Forum and he was asked to compensate sixty thousand rupees to one patient he treated.

Howrah zonal committee also published their own magazine ‘Yuktir Dishan in June.

An ayurvedic Doctor, a ‘jaundice expert’. Bhogi Kobrej was unmasked.

Bibarda branch in Bankura invited five Ojhas to prove the veracity of their claims, but they acknowledged defeat and gave up their profession.

We got the title of our spokes-magazine registered with RNI. Accodingly name was changed from Yuktibadi to Eksuh Shataker Yuktibadi in the first revised issue, May-June 1997.

A memorandum signed by five thousand people demanding proper infrastructure at all rural health centres for the treatment of snake bite patients was submitted to the CMOH, Nadia, which later turned to be effective.

1998

Hoax of bleeding Jesus was exposed in April.

Atomic explosion by India and its counterpart Pakistan invoked wrath of right thinking citizens in May. We adhered ourselves to their sentiment by joining a united forum of like minded individuals and organizations. The forum sent a turbulent wave across the subcontinent through its militant agendas against war and all mass destructive weapons including the nuclear one.

Our movement with peremptory demand for arsenic free drinking water at all areas infested with the element fetched some effective measures. The fight is still alive and appears to be more pertinent.

Belgachhia and Madanpur branches started publishing their own magazines namely 'Yuktir Dishari’ and ‘Loukik’.

Kishore Yukitbadi assumed a new look after its registration.

Aloukikotar Nepothye (Truth behind supernaturalism), an explanatory composition complied by Bongaon branch was published as thoroughly revised 2nd edition after exhaustion of its first edition.

Yuktibadi Tadanta Samkalan, a collection of rationalist investigation on supernatural events and phenomenon was published by Muktachinta.

1999

Nabadiganta and Muktadhara, organs of Simurali and Ashokenagar branch, respectively, added new panaches to our movement.

Science City authority was compelled to remove horoscope vending machine from its premises.

Sonali and her mother-in-law, the charlatans of Baneswarpur in north 24 parganas were made to abjure their ‘occupation’ before a large crowd in April. They professed of having miraculous power of curing diseases by feeding scraps of a dog couple.

Our course of actions against the unauthorized and profiteering inoculation drive on hepatitis – B by the manufacturers got countenance of the common people. And they (the companies) experienced a bitter setback.

2001

As a continuation of the preceding activities against the UGC’s Vedic Astrology agenda, this year we successfully launched another important move. Our initiative made it possible to brace up at least 75 persons of national and international repute from different walks of life to send a condemnation letter to the then UGC chairman. It was strongly urged to fall back from this retrograde idea, which would pave the way to legalize pseudoscience and might be an exterminatory step for the education system of the country. We also organized a demonstration in front of UGC’s Eastern Zonal Office, which drew huge attentions from local and national audio-visual media. News agencies like AFP and PTI imparted due importance into the matter.

To aware people about UGC’s clumsy idea, Central Committee of SRAI published a booklet namely UCHCHASHIKSHAKRAME JYOTISH: PRATIBAD O PRATIRODH (Astrology in higher education: protest and resistance). A number of rallies were organized by different branches; campaigning through poster-exhibition, seminar and street corners were regularly arranged in this regard.  

Madanpur branch published two books namely SAPE KATA SAMASHYA O AMAR DESH (Snake bite problem and my country; written by Marut Deb) and BIJNAN O SAMAJCHETANA (Science and social consciousness; a collection of articles addressing different issues regarding science and society, edited by Chiranjay Paul & Gour Adhikary).

Our publication wing MUKTACHINTA PUBLICATION took part in the Kolkata International Book Fair for the first time and drew attentions from rationalists and like-minded people.

Our General Secretary met astrologer Dronacharya in a debate organized by a local television channel, which ended up with a bitter defeat for the fraud. 

In another debacle, astrologers Samar Dey, Goutam and Rabi Karmakar choose to flee; our Mathabhanga branch members left little choices for them in a “Science versus Astrology” debate arranged by Cooch Behar Club.

2002

Our investigation busted the religious-political nexus responsible for spreading rumours of miraculous cure in Deganga area in the district of North 24 Parganas, where thousands of devotees used to gather to collect the “holy” soil, taken as medication to treat their ailments.

Colluded with a big magazine house, the so-called “D. S. Research Centre” of U.P. origin opened a branch in Kolkata to cheat people in the name of cancer treatment. They offered “Sarbapishti”, a herbal concoction, pretended to cure cancers of any type and degree, to the sick. We made an appeal to West Bengal Drug Control Directorate to take action against the frauds. Later, the Drug Control raided the Centre and confiscated the samples of concoction before sealing the premises.

Belgachhiya branch of SRAI published a booklet namely NOSTRADAMUSER NASHTA BANI (Nostradamus’ wicked prophesies; written by Ranjan Mukhopadhyay), where the exact nature of prophesies of the 16th century astrologer and occultist was explained.

With the active support of Taraberia branch of SRAI and other local organizations, Shyamnagar branch started a glorious journey to organize yearly science fair in Shyamnagar. The two-day long programme included a number of stalls denouncing superstitions along with discussions, debates, slide shows and other demonstrations to spread rational spirit in the locality.

2003

Muktachinta Publication published JYOTISHBIDYAR NEPATHYE (Behind Astrology; written by Ranjan Mukhopadhyay), which became an arsenal to combat astrology.

Ayurvedic practitioner from Hyderabad, R. Mallikarjun Prasad, who used to claim to cure asthma completely by swallowing tiny living fish, was arrested by the Kolkata Police, following a complaint by our association. 

Akchhed Ali, an illiterate village folk from the district of North 24 Parganas claimed to cure snake bite cases with his supernatural technique, desired to challenge the rationalists. But, finally, our Chakdah branch members turned him into a science-minded person as he convinced to give up shamanism.

Superstitions and the so-called “miracles” may, sometimes, evolve from and nourished by survival strategies of the fringes. Our investigation revealed that the transformation of Laxmi idol into Kali at Mahabirtala area in Kolkata was such an instance, where the simple colour changing phenomenon had an intimate link with the forceful eviction at the banks of Tolly Nallah. Hundreds of peoples of Mahabirtala ghetto went about to keep the rumour alive, which seemed to provide some immunity for the crisis.

Our investigation busted the age-old “Jhankeshwari” myth in four small villages in Burdwan district, where villagers used to live with venomous snakes in their household. The investigation team strongly protested against rumour mongering and irresponsible media reporting in that case.

On the eve of beatification of Mother Teresa, SRAI published a booklet namely SANT-ER PATHE TERESA: BHABMURTY NIRMANER RAJNITI (Teresa on the way to become a Saint: The political construction of her image).

Self-proclaimed and self-styled god-man Subhash Thakur claimed to cure any disease by touching the patient’s chest with his “holy” foot. This pervert from Naya Kamargram village near Bongaon was arrested following the written complaint filed by Bongaon branch of SRAI.

Sometimes, indifference of health department may be responsible to keep the health related rumours alive. Our investigation revealed that the so-called “miraculous water” in Chachai village in Burdwan district, used as panacea by thousands of people, actually devoid of any special qualities.

2004

To demystify the sainthood of Mother Teresa in particular and to unmask the politics of charity in general, Muktachinta Publication published MOTHER TERESA: BHABMURTI NIRMANER RAJNITI (Mother Teresa: The political construction of her image; written by Prosanta Dutta).

Arsenic in drinking water is always remained a potent health problem in a number of districts of West Bengal over the decades. Shyamnagar in North 24 Parganas is one of the worst-hit areas. As a continuation of the activities to combat the menace, Shyamnagar branch of SRAI organized a mass convention in the locality, which drew huge attentions from local dignitaries.

Bongaon branch of SRAI published a booklet namely GARJE UTHUN (Raise your voice) addressing the queries and issues a rationalist most often faced with.

The snake bitten Bhairab Bauri, who himself was a snake charmer and ojha from Abantika village near Bishnupur, cured completely by scientific treatment when our Radhanagar branch members taken him to hospital. Afterwards, he not only left the shamanism but also started campaigning against the supernatural and unproven practices in snake bite case.

2005

Based on extensive survey and moving towards a long term solution to resolve the arsenic problem, our Shyamnagar branch published a seminal book namely ARSENIC DUSHAN O SHYAMNAGAR (Arsenic Pollution and Shyamnagar).

Muktachinta Publication published a collection of internationally acclaimed articles written against religion, god and supernaturalism namely AANTARJATIK YUKTIBADI SAMKALAN (International Rationalistic Collection; translated in Bengali by various authors and edited by Debasis Bhattacharya).

Astrologer Debjani from Kolkata planned to cheat the North Bengal people in the name of fortune telling. Our Madarihat branch members capsized the knavery by directly challenging the astrologer and spreading awareness in the area, which left little choices for the fraud but to flee.

Collaboration with the popular audio-visual investigative journalism production house KHONJKHABAR, Executive Committee of SRAI investigated the curious case of medical messiah “Doctor” A. J. Laskar, who claimed to cure any immedicable diseases with ease. A number of television episodes were dedicated to blurt out the desperate quackery. 

An instance of yellow journalism in the case of so-called “past life regression” of a 3 year old Ranaghat child was exposed by our close investigation.

The truth came out for the first time after Durgapur branch of SRAI and KHONJKHABAR jointly investigated the mystic affairs in Benagram village, popularly known as “village of ghosts”, in Burdwan district.

SRAI published a booklet namely SAMMOHAN CHIKITSA O PRABIR GHOSH: KICHHU NATHI, KICHHU KATHA (Hypnotism and Prabir Ghosh: Few documents, few words).

Our investigation team took up a one-night stand to unravel a mystery in Khanakul. As a part of the investigation, they stayed at night in the Pan families’ haunted house in Rautkhkana village and resolved the mystery of spooky affairs.

2006

Our Birpara branch members blurted out the fraudulent plans of two astrologers namely Dhoniram and Punjab Rao. The fortune tellers immediately ran away from Birpara.

Despite self-declared as fortune tellers by observing palm-lines, astrologers Acharya Satyananda, Sree Aditya and Khana Maa failed to identify a monkey’s palm impression, rather they started fortune telling regarded it as a human seal. KHONJKHABAR aired the whole investigation in an episode.

Astrologer Debjani was once again driven away by our activists, this time from Basirhat, as a result of rigorous campaigning by local branch members.

Bhootmela, a yearly superstitious gathering in Phulia, used to promote black magic and shamanism. We unmasked the tricks of spiritual possession of main priest of the ceremony in a customary fashion, which hit the headlines of mainstream media. 

Sukumar Mondal, a youth from Ashokenagar in North 24 Parganas, said to be possessed by “Maa Manasa” was being completely cured by proper treatment with the help of our activists. Later, the spirited youth joined the rationalists and contributed significantly to the movement.

Muktachinta Publication published YUKTIBADI TADANTA SAMKALAN: ALOUKIK RAHASYER SATYANUSANDHAN SERIES 2 (A collection of rationalist investigations: Supernatural mysteries investigation series 2; written by various author-activists and edited by Ranjan Mukhopadhyay and Debkumar Haldar).

Alongside organizing science fair in the locality, Shyamnagar branch of SRAI provided active support to a group of enthusiasts to organize the same in Uchchhegar, which later also became a yearly event.

2007

This year our activists unmasked a number of tricksters, who used to cheat people in the name of supernaturalism and fortune telling. Nadia’s “Badal ojha”, tantric astrologer Pralay, tantric Pashaji, Dutch illusionist Sadhu Ramanna were few amongst the others. Most of the investigations were telecasted in local television channels.

Chakdah branch of SRAI identified the real “ghosts” involved in stone throwing activity and solved the mystery at the village of Anulia Manasatala in Nadia. 

On the eve of the government’s temerity to install a number of atomic reactors at various places in the country, SRAI, jointly with the Anti-Nuclear Forum, published a booklet namely SHAKTI SAMASYAR SAMADHAN KI PARAMANU BIDYUT? (Will atomic energy solve the energy crisis?).

Bagnan branch of SRAI started a rational treatment clinic in Bagnan in collaboration with Care & Cure Society and Shramajibi Swastha Udyog.

2008

This year Madarihat branch’s crusade against charlatanry will be marked as a milestone in the history of the organization. Ojha Abul Bashar; faith healers Pastor C. T. Robinson, Father Trevor and Father Seron Becker; quacks Dr. R. Mondal of Hasimara, Dr. Biswajit Bose of Falakata Babupara, Kabiraj D. Bhadra of Falakata Chowpathi, Dr. Subodh Goswami & Punyachandra Sutradhar of Madarihat were amongst the others. Following our appeal and based on the investigation reports published in different media, District Magistrate of Alipurduar ordered an enquiry into the matter. Afterwards, CMOH warmly congratulated the organization in this regard. 

Muktachinta Publication published a booklet about few aspects of hypnotism namely SAMMOHAN KORE KI GAYE PHOSKA PHELA JAY? (Can blisters be formed by hypnotism?).

INDIAN NONI, a herbal health tonic, attached with a number of unproven health claims, most of which were prohibited by Schedule J of Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1945, was marketed exclusively in different parts of West Bengal. Our Madarihat branch, jointly with ASHUKH BISHUKH magazine and Society for Social Pharmacology, protested against this unethical pursuit and campaigned rigorously to aware the people to prevent the multilevel marketing of the snake oil remedy, which forced the Chennai based company to turn back from the West Bengal market.

In November, a rumour spread almost all over the West Bengal that, water was oozing out from the peak of bamboo branches. People began to collect it and drink it as a panacea. Our activists from different branches successfully confronted the rumouring in an urgent basis.

In collaboration with a local news channel, Shyamnagar branch members of SRAI uncovered the truth behind the “divine possession” of Bijoy, a 10 year old boy from Debigram in Duttapukur area.

On the basis of Madarihat branch’s investigation, Indian Medical Council declared two “doctors” from Purba Khayerbari area as quacks followed by criminal cases filed against them.

Bagnan branch of SRAI challenged three astrologers Purnananda Maharaj, Manu Maharaj and Nivedita Shastri followed by a police complaint lodged against them; the frauds tried to attract people promising with a low consultation fee. As a result of rigorous campaigning and legal proceedings, astrologers immediately ran away from Bagnan.

Four illegal Hepatitis-B camps in Basirhat area were repealed as a result of rigorous campaigning by Basirhat branch of SRAI.

2009

To aware people about the dangers of radiations from cellphone tower, Basirhat branch published “MOBILE TOWER” – EK ADRISHYA GHATAK (“Mobile Tower” – An invisible killer).

Bankura zonal committee of SRAI published three low price booklets namely AMADER BIJNAN O BIJNANER AMRA (Science of us and ourselves of science), BIJNAN O UNNAYAN: TRITIYA BISHWER ABAUNNAYAN (Science and Development: Underdevelopment of the Third World) and DAIBABANI (A voice from heaven).

Pardubi branch of SRAI protested strongly against witch-hunting when a youth from Angarkata-Purdubi village was declared as “daini”. To mobilize the anti-daini campaign they arranged a public seminar, which drew huge attentions from the locals.

2010

Radhanagar branch of SRAI initiated mass movement against propensity of irrational prescribing. A mass-petition to condemn this type of medical malpractice was sent to the BMOH, who finally acknowledged the people’s right to receive rational treatment and assured the activists to implement the same under his jurisdiction.

Mathabhanga branch initiated a year-long programme to save the local environment, as a result of which people discontinued agricultural activities like sowing corps and application of pesticides at the banks of river Sutunga.

An illegal eye examination racket was busted at Pardubi in Cooch Behar district, who arranged a camp in disguise of WHO expertise and Lions’ Club affiliation. Our Pardubi branch members forced the frauds to return the swindled money to the victims. Similar incident occurred in Madarihat, where organisers failed to produce credentials before our local branch members. Police closed the camp and arrested the two frauds following the complaint lodged by the rationalists.

Koro syndrome, a psychological disorder attached with imaginary thinking of gradually shrinking genitalia, spread like an epidemic throughout almost all over the West Bengal this year. Our activists worked relentlessly to aware people to combat the emerging phobia by means of leaflets, television programmes etc.

Two astrologers Raja Mukherjee and Seema Rakshit booked under non-bailable section from a Mathabhanga hotel following the complaint of the local branch of SRAI.

Exploitation of limited resources of environment in the name of development was opposed through our active campaigning in Mathabhanga, where people’s resistance forced the authority to repeal installation of a mineral water plant at Daldaliya village in Rangalibajna.

CHAR LINE-E CHICHING PHANK (Open sesame through four-liners), a collection of limericks and slogans promoting scientific temper and other related issues, collected and edited by Alokesh Mondal, was published by Bagnan branch of SRAI.

2011

SRAI unveiled the truth behind “ghostly fire” in an Agarpara house; the whole investigation was later aired through a local television channel.

A fungus resembled snake-hood became a centre of attraction and rumour-mongering at an Uttar Bagundi house in Basirhat. After receiving correct explanation from our Basirhat activists, locals immediately stopped worshipping and the practice of other superstitious ongoing in the name of “snake god”.

Observing and understanding the wonderful celestial phenomenon of transit of Venus through telescope attracted hundreds of people in a whole-day programme arranged by us at Oxford Mission ground in Behala on 6 June.

2012

This year Radhanagar branch of SRAI set a new example to admit a snake-bitten patient in hospital after rescuing the victim from the entrapment of an ojha. The recovery of little Sunil Murmu, a primary school student, added great enthusiasm into the anti-superstition movement in the area.

Rumour mongering reached a new height worldwide this year with a bizarre doomsday prediction. We took up a number of initiatives to combat the apocalyptic panic. Moreover, jointly with J. C. Bose School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Studies in Science and Society, and NEHAI magazine, SRAI published a booklet namely 2012: DHWANSER SADHAN KIMBA BIJNAN PATAN (2012: Worship of Annihilation or Descent of Science; written by Subrata Roy) in this regard.

Applying the Right to Information Act, 2005, our Madarihat branch unsheathed the racket of incompetent private diagnostic centres in Madarihat Birpara block. Suprisingly enough, Jalpaiguri district Health Department was not only uncomfortable to accept the fact that 99 per cent of the pathological & X-ray clinics in the area were illegal, but also ordered further enquiry to hush up the real picture.

2013

Anatomical abnormalities in plants and animals attract people easily and, in a country like ours, the scientific cause of those abnormalities are rarely sought for, rather it frequently give rise to the origination of miracles. SRAI confronted a number of such cases in the past. In May, Basirhat branch members investigated one such case at Sayedkati village in Swarupnagar, where people began to collect the “holy” soil beneath an excessively flowering banana tree and taken it as their medication. The superstitious activities were immediately stopped after rationalists provided correct explanation and warned people about the dangerous health practices associated with it. 

To aware people about the dangers of sectarianism and to equip them with scientific temper, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar zonal committee of SRAI jointly organized a week-long Science Expedition in North Bengal, which later become a regular yearly programme for the organisation. A number of street corners, anti-superstition programmes & workshops, and slide shows were arranged in different schools and populous places in the two districts, which drew the headlines of the mainstream media.

A number of protestations were arranged in different corners of West Bengal and a number of articles were written by our activists to condemn the murder of rationalist Dr. Narendra Dabholkar.

Uchchhegar Science Fair Committee of SRAI published a booklet namely BISHWER SARBAKALER SERA GUJAB ISHWAR (God is the all-time best rumour of the world) based on a debate programme held on previous year at Uchchhegarh Science Fair in North 24 Parganas.

Inspired by the successes of Shyamnagar and Uchchhegar science fair, this year Bongaon branch organized the same in the locality, which also drew huge attentions from the students and local dignitaries.

2014

Our initiatives made it possible to postpone a religious activity such as organizing Durga Puja in the Institute of Psychiatry premises under the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. We sent a condemnation letter signed by representatives of different organisations to the director of the institute, where it was urged to maintain secularized standard of our medical as well as education system.

Our General Secretary investigated a “daini” victimization case in Tollygunge with the active help of APDR members and advocated the massage of rationalism and humanity in the area.

SRAI strongly condemned the attacks against freethinkers in Bangladesh. A number of initiatives were taken by our different branches such as protestation through leaflets and posters, arranging street corners and seminars, delivering protesting statements to the media in this regard.

As a continuation of the preceding activities to aware people against medical malpractice, this year Radhanagar branch of SRAI started distributing essential medicines at a very low price in alliance with Rural Medical Practitioners’ Association.

This year Pardubi and Mathabhanga branch of SRAI set an instance in wildlife preservation. They rescued at least 75 venomous snakes from locality and handed them over to the Forest Department. Moreover, Pardubi branch rescued two snake bitten patients from the grasp of ojha and sent them to govt. hospitals to receive scientific treatment, which later saved their lives.

2015

Two fake eye examination rackets were busted in North Bengal by our Pardubi branch members. Refusing the huge amount of bribes offered to the branch secretary by the frauds, complaints were lodged against them followed by the judicial action.

JNANBIJNANER SAPTAPARNEE (  ), written by our septuagenarian member Aloke Mukherjee, was published by BEST BOOKS, where the publisher acknowledged the name of our publication wing as an accomplice. 

A new dimension was added to this year’s Science Expedition in North Bengal. SHRAMAJIBI SWASTHA UDYOG joined our organization to demand for universal health care in the country. 

Bagnan branch of SRAI published a low price booklet namely BHAR (Supernatural possession; written by Alokesh Mondal).

A mass convention against publishing unbuttoned advertisement of prostitution in newspapers was organized in Kolkata by SRAI jointly with other like-minded organisations. Our demands were sent to the President, Prime Minister and other legislators of the country and the Press Council.

Spirited locals forced to stop the fraud in the name of divine possession at Ayodhanagar Mannapara in South 24 Parganas, after our activists demonstrated and exposed the matter in a vivid way. 

Thousands of people gathered daily seeking divine intervention for their illnesses at Kashichata village in Bankura district, which was not only served the familial interest of the frauds but also became juicy business opportunities for the neighbours. Following the complaints of our Radhanagar branch police desperately entered the scene and forcibly terminated the organized hype. Later, a book was published by the branch on this episode namely YUKTIBADIR DIARY: KASHICHATA THEKE PHIRE (Rationalists’ account: After returning from Kashichata).

2016

A rumour was spread centering around a few meters-long heat-crack on a house wall at Bara Maricha village in Shitalkhuchi block in North Bengal. Gosairhat branch of SRAI revealed the truth after thorough investigation.

Popular television show DANCE BANGLA DANCE JUNIOR invited us to demonstrate anti-superstition exposer of different tricks after the prime-time audiences. 

We took part in a mass education programme at an old-age home in Serampore, where different aspects of modern medicine were discussed with a slide show presentation.

Govt. hospital highly praised rationalists’ endeavour as Radhanagar branch of SRAI pointed out negligence and serious mistakes in case of a child receiving rabies treatment from Bishnupur District Hospital.