The Atheist Centre is an institution founded by

Goparaju Ramachandra Rao Goparaju Ramachandra Rao (nickname: Gora) (15 November 1902 – 26 July 1975) was an Indian social reformer, atheist activist and a participant in the Indian independence movement. He authored many books on atheism and proposed atheism as self-c ...

(aka Gora, 1902–1975) and

Saraswathi Gora Saraswathi Gora (28 September 1912 – 19 August 2006) was an Indian social activist who served as leader of the Atheist Centre for many years, campaigning against untouchability and the caste system. Biography In the 1930s, Saraswathi cham ...

(1912–2006) to initiate social change in rural

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...

based on the ideology of

Gandhism Gandhism is a body of ideas that describes the inspiration, vision, and the life work of M.K. Gandhi. It is particularly associated with his contributions to the idea of nonviolent resistance, sometimes also called civil resistance. The term " ...

and Atheism. Founded in 1940 at Mudnur village in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, India the Centre was later shifted to

Vijayawada Vijayawada, formerly known as Bezawada, is the second largest city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and is a part of the state's Capital Region. It is the administrative headquarters of the NTR district. Its metropolitan region comprises N ...

in 1947. As a member organisation of the

Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations The Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations (FIRA) is an umbrella body of 83 (as of 2012) rationalist, atheist, skeptic, secularist and scientist organisations in India. As an apex body of rationalist organisations, it is committed to ...

, the Atheist Centre endorses the

Amsterdam Declaration 2002 The Amsterdam Declaration 2002 is a statement of the fundamental principles of modern Humanism passed unanimously by the General Assembly of Humanists International (HI) at the 50th anniversary World Humanist Congress in 2002. According to HI, the ...

. The institution received the

International Humanist and Ethical Union Humanists International (known as the International Humanist and Ethical Union, or IHEU, from 1952–2019) is an international non-governmental organisation championing secularism and human rights, motivated by secular humanist values. Foun ...

's International Humanist Award in 1986 for pioneering in the field of social work. After the

Indian Ocean tsunami An earthquake and a tsunami, known as the Boxing Day Tsunami and, by the scientific community, the Sumatra–Andaman earthquake, occurred at 07:58:53 local time (UTC+7) on 26 December 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of northern Suma ...

, the Atheist Centre worked with the

Institute for Humanist Studies The Institute for Humanist Studies (IHS) is a think tank based in Washington, DC, USA, that says it is "committed to information and practices meant to address the sociopolitical, economic and cultural challenges facing communities within the Uni ...

to provide aid to the victims of the disaster. Atheist Centre celebrated its platinum jubilee of 75 years on 5 January 2014. Gora's daughter Mythri is currently the Chairperson, and sons Lavanam and Vijyam continuing as Executive Directors of the Centre.

Secular social work

With the guiding principles of Gora and his positive atheism, Atheist Centre, India brought revolutionary changes in Indian social work. Born for the cause of social change with Gandhian principles, Atheist Centre, India initiated and continuing the social work for social change. Atheist Centre started its work from removal of untouchability in 1940s, Atheist Centre organised the cosmopolitan dinners and inter-caste marriages to annihilate the caste system, exposing superstitious beliefs and promoting scientific temper and

humanism Humanism is a philosophy, philosophical stance that emphasizes the individual and social potential and Agency (philosophy), agency of Human, human beings. It considers human beings the starting point for serious moral and philosophical in ...

Mahatma Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (; ; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist Quote: "... marks Gandhi as a hybrid cosmopolitan figure who transformed ... anti- ...

was impressed with Atheist Centre's work and interested and met atheist Gora. Atheist Centre still continuing the legacy of Gora and

in carrying the comprehensive programmes of social as well as individual development for the transformation of society. Atheist Centre initiated social organisation Arthik Samata Mandal, Vasavya Mahila Mandali and Samskar. The first two were founded by Gora and Samskar was started in post-Gora period. Arthik Samata Mandali is involved in integrated rural development and specific programmes for children. It continues as one of the leading organisations in the field of disaster management. The organisation has specific emphasis on weavers and tribal population. The eye camps and polio camps run by the organisation have been popular. Vasavya Mahila Mandali is involved in women's programmes like promotion of women groups for self-help, health programmes, working women's hostel, a shelter home for women with problems, an eye bank and AIDS control. The organisation is highly reputed for its women's counselling programmes in Andhra Pradesh. Samskar (Reform) is an initiative of Atheist Centre's work among the criminal tribes who are now known as denotified tribes. Lavanam, Hemalata Lavanam and others worked in the Criminal settlements of Andhra Pradesh and initiated steps for criminal reformation. Samskar also took up the programme for the eradication of the

Jogini A yogini (Sanskrit: योगिनी, IAST: ) is a female master practitioner of tantra and yoga, as well as a formal term of respect for female Hindu or Buddhist spiritual teachers in Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Greater Tibet. Th ...

system, which is a remnant of the Devadasi in

Telangana Telangana (; , ) is a state in India situated on the south-central stretch of the Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the eleventh-largest state and the twelfth-most populated state in India with a geographical area of and 3 ...

region of AP. It is a heinous practice thrust on the poor untouchable women in the remote villages of the erstwhile Hyderabad State. Chelli Nilayam, Sister's Home, was founded at Varni, in Nizamabad District in 1987 for the Jogins. All three organisations have their headquarters at Atheist Centre,

University and research centre

On 26 September 2011, the Atheist Centre announced that it would open a university and research centre founded on the principles of Gora that would serve as India's first atheist university. It will not be affiliated with any conventional institution. Atheist Centre has a library, with a good collection of books by Gora and his articles on atheism, still primary sources research on atheism, humanism and Gandhian philosophy.

Books and publications

''The Atheist'', an English-language monthly magazine, was established in 1969. It carries articles on atheism, humanism, spirit of inquiry, and scientific reform through secular social work. ''Nasthika Margam'', a Telugu-language monthly, has been published since 1977. It deals with atheism, rationalism, and women's issues.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Website of ''Atheist Centre''

''Against Her Will: Devadasi Culture In South India''

1940 establishments in India Rationalist groups based in India Atheist organizations Organizations established in 1940 Organisations based in Vijayawada