Dakshina Kannada Rationalist Association
Encyclopedia
Dakshina Kannada Rationalist Association (DKRA) is a well known rationalist group based in Mangalore
, Karnataka
which promotes skepticism
. It was formed in 1976 at the initiative of a few individuals led by Dr. Narendra Nayak
. DKRA, now a member of Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations
, was initially formed to host the talk by Abraham Kovoor
, the eminent rationalist from Sri Lanka
who was then touring India
as part of his Miracle Exposure Campaign.
. The group critiques paranormal and pseudoscientific claims including psychic surgery
, inexhaustible oil lamps, materialization of holy ash, and pyrokinesis
.
Working with the Indian Rationalist Association
, the DKRA opposed a 2009 proposal to make yoga a compulsory subject for high school and primary school students in Mangalore.
Mangalore
Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district in south western...
, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
which promotes skepticism
Scientific skepticism
Scientific skepticism is the practice of questioning the veracity of claims lacking empirical evidence or reproducibility, as part of a methodological norm pursuing "the extension of certified knowledge". For example, Robert K...
. It was formed in 1976 at the initiative of a few individuals led by Dr. Narendra Nayak
Narendra Nayak
Narendra Nayak is a well known rationalist from Mangalore, Karnataka, India.He is the founder of Dakshina Kannada Rationalist Association and has been its Secretary since 1976...
. DKRA, now a member of Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations
Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations
Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations is an umbrella body of more than 75 rationalist, atheist, skeptic, secularist and science organisations in India...
, was initially formed to host the talk by Abraham Kovoor
Abraham Kovoor
Abraham Thomas Kovoor was an Indian professor and rationalist who gained prominence after retirement for his campaign to expose as frauds various Indian and Sri Lankan "god-men" and so-called paranormal phenomena...
, the eminent rationalist from Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
who was then touring India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
as part of his Miracle Exposure Campaign.
Activities
The DKRA attempts to oppose superstition and pseudoscience in India. Often in association with other rationalist organizations in India and abroad, the DKRA has led media and educational campaigns debunking the purportedly supernatural feats of godmenGodman (Hindu ascetic)
A godman is a colloquial name for a particular type of charismatic guru who has a high-profile presence, is capable of attracting attention and support from Indian society, and makes claims of spiritual attainments...
. The group critiques paranormal and pseudoscientific claims including psychic surgery
Psychic surgery
Psychic surgery is a procedure typically involving the supposed creation of an incision using only the bare hands, the supposed removal of pathological matter, and the seemingly spontaneous healing of the incision....
, inexhaustible oil lamps, materialization of holy ash, and pyrokinesis
Pyrokinesis
Pyrokinesis, derived from the Greek words and , was the name coined by horror novelist Stephen King for the ability to create or to control fire with the mind that he gave to the protagonist Charlie McGee in Firestarter...
.
Working with the Indian Rationalist Association
Indian Rationalist Association
Indian Rationalist Association is a voluntary organisation in India whose 100,000 members promote scientific skepticism and critique supernatural claims. It publishes books and magazines, organises seminars and lectures and its representatives regularly appear in TV and print media exposing...
, the DKRA opposed a 2009 proposal to make yoga a compulsory subject for high school and primary school students in Mangalore.