Atheist Center
Encyclopedia
Atheist Centre is an institution founded by Goparaju Ramachandra Rao
(aka Gora, 1902-1975) and Saraswathi Gora
(1912-2006) to initiate social change in rural Andhra Pradesh
based on the ideology of Gandhism
and Atheism
. Founded in the year 1940 at Mudnur village in Krishna district
in Andhra Pradesh, India the Centre was later shifted to Vijayawada
in the year 1947.
As a member organisation of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations
, the Atheist Centre endorses the Amsterdam Declaration 2002.
The institution received the International Humanist and Ethical Union
's International Humanist Award in 1986.
On September 26th, 2011, the Atheist Centre announced that it would open a university and research center founded on the principles of Gora that would serve as India's first atheist university.
Goparaju Ramachandra Rao
Goparaju Ramachandra Rao was an Indian atheist leader.-Early days:Gora was born into a Telugu Brahmin family in India. He wrote in his autobiography, We Become Atheists, that he grew up "conventionally orthodox and superstitious." He pursued a botany degree, eventually earning his Master's in...
(aka Gora, 1902-1975) and Saraswathi Gora
Saraswathi Gora
Saraswathi Gora was an Indian social activist. Notable as the leader of the Atheist Centre for many years, she campaigned against untouchability and the caste system....
(1912-2006) to initiate social change in rural Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
based on the ideology of Gandhism
Gandhism
Gandhism is the collection of inspirations, principles, beliefs and philosophy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , who was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian Independence Movement....
and Atheism
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
. Founded in the year 1940 at Mudnur village in Krishna district
Krishna district
Krishna District is a district of India's Andhra Pradesh state. It is named after the Krishna River, the third longest river that flows within India, flows through the district and joins Bay of Bengal here in this district. It has a population of 4,529,009 of which 32.08% is urban as of...
in Andhra Pradesh, India the Centre was later shifted to Vijayawada
Vijayawada
Vijayawada is the third largest city in Andhra Pradesh, India, located on the banks of the Krishna River and bounded by the Indrakiladri Hills on the West and the Budameru River on the North. The city is located in the Krishna District, about from the state capital Hyderabad.Vijayawada literally...
in the year 1947.
As a member organisation of the 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...
, the Atheist Centre endorses the Amsterdam Declaration 2002.
The institution received the International Humanist and Ethical Union
International Humanist and Ethical Union
The International Humanist and Ethical Union is an umbrella organisation embracing humanist, atheist, rationalist, secular, skeptic, freethought and Ethical Culture organisations worldwide. Founded in Amsterdam in 1952, the IHEU is a democratic union of more than 100 member organizations in 40...
's International Humanist Award in 1986.
On September 26th, 2011, the Atheist Centre announced that it would open a university and research center founded on the principles of Gora that would serve as India's first atheist university.