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Dakshina Kannada Rationalist Association

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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 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.[1]

Activities

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The DKRA attempts to oppose superstition and pseudoscience in India. Often in association with other rationalist organisations in India and abroad, the DKRA has led media and educational campaigns debunking the purportedly supernatural feats of godmen.[1] The group critiques paranormal and pseudoscientific claims including psychic surgery, inexhaustible oil lamps, materialization of holy ash, and pyrokinesis.[2]

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.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Shenoy, Jaideep (31 May 2003). "Tricks revealed". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 March 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ Shenoy, Jaideep (21 June 2004). "Gawd! You can do it too". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 July 2004. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  3. ^ "Move to introduce yoga education opposed". The Hindu. 10 January 2009. Archived from the original on 2 May 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
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  • Shenoy, Jaideep (31 May 2003). "Tricks revealed". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 June 2003. Retrieved 19 August 2018. - Report on Fourth National Conference of FIRA hosted by DKRA