Superstition Debunking
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Those Who Ran Away
This article recounts various instances where self-proclaimed miracle workers, black magicians, and astrologers retreated when challenged to scientific testing. The author exposes how claimants rely on cold reading, local mob intimidation, or procedural delays to evade verification, reiterating FIRA’s standing monetary challenge to anyone who can demonstrate genuine supernatural powers.
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Expanding Rationalism Across Bihar, UP, and Beyond
This article highlights the rapid expansion of rationalist training networks in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and across North and East India. Collaborating with Science for Society, the movement conducts workshops to debunk superstitions, train youth, and cultivate scientific temper to counter pervasive fatalism, calling for introspection to sustain a larger national campaign.
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Bhaskar Shetty’s “Asstrological” Challenge
This article documents rationalist Narendra Nayak’s public challenge to astrologer Bhaskar Shetty, offering one million rupees for accurate astrological predictions under controlled, double-blind conditions. After Shetty repeatedly evaded scheduled tests in Bengaluru, Nayak outlines strict empirical protocols and deadlines, exposing astrology as an unscientific, media-hyped fraud.
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Astrology Flops Again
This article documents the outcome of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations’ 2009 Lok Sabha election prediction challenge. Prof. Narendra Nayak details how 400 entries—including predictions from astrologers, religious zealots, and divine claimants—failed miserably to meet the 80% accuracy threshold, once again proving astrology to be unscientific guesswork.