Mangalore, August 11: In order to counter superstitions and blind beliefs, a three-day state level workshop on “Using science against black magic and superstition” was organized by Karnataka State Science Parishat at the Institution of Social Development Nanthoor here on Friday.
Inaugurating the workshop, K.N. Vijay Prakash, Chief Executive Officer of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, said it was important for scientific temperament to be imbibed in the younger generation.
Lambasting prevalent practices such as urulu seve and vaastu , Sri Shaila Gholi, Convenor of Janavigyana Samiti, said: “Why complete an MBBS degree and specialise in dermatology when you can just roll on the floor to cure your skin ailments?”
He cited the instance of fortune tellers prescribing a childless woman to circumvent the 'ashwathnarayan' plant if she wanted to bear a child. “My eight-year-old daughter plays near the plant in my house and I routinely see her run around the plant. Why then does she not have a baby,” Mr. Gholi said to the amusement of the audience.
Prem D'souza, Principal of St. Agnes College, said traditional thinking existed because of fear and science was a tool that could remove this fear.
Tracing the roots of superstitions and irrational beliefs, R.K. Hudagi, State President of Samudaya, believed they came when people “jump to conclusion” based only on one observation of natural phenomena.
The workshop saw lectures being delivered by Narendra Nayak, president, Federation of Rationalists Associations of India.
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