Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti
Background of Formation
Maharashtra is considered as the Land of Saints and Social Reformers. The traditions of Saints which started from Saint Dnyaneshwar in 13th Century has reached upto the 20th Century Saints like Saint Gadage Baba, Saint Tukadoji Maharaj. Maharashtra has also got the same rich tradition of 150 years of Social Reformers, starting from Lokahitavadi to Prabodhanakar Thackaray. Both of these traditions made efforts to pull out the Indian people from the mud of undesirable customs, traditions, outdated practices and superstitions. While examining the Religion critically and for the benefit of the society, these saints opposed the exploitation and ritualism in it. They promoted Logical Rationalism, Reformism, Scientific Temper and Humanism. This thought is known in Maharashtra, as, Phule - Shahu - Ambedkar tradition of thought.
Despite such a long tradition of awakening, the Charlatanry and Superstitions are flourishing in Maharashtra with great pace.
With this background, Martyr Dr. Narendra Dabholkar established Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti on 9th August, 1989.
Samiti’s Mission Statement
I will actively work for eradication of superstitions from myself, family, society and Nation and will practice and spread scientific temper, rationalism and humanism. I will make this as a part of my living. I trust that only this is beneficial and will cause development and upliftment of myself and the entire Society.
Activists of Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti understand and agree to this aim from mind and on the level of thought and then they actively follow it permanently.
To be successful in this mission, the Organisation has created Five Principles (Panch-sutree) for its work and thought.
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To oppose the superstitions which involve exploitation, cheating and are misleading.
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To propogate, spread and follow Scientific Temperament.
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To examine the Religion firmly, critically but constructively, corresponding to the Time.
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To activate the heritage of Saints and Social reformers and values of the Constitution.
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To join hands with the movement of comprehensive social reforms.
These Five Principles are the foundation of Organisation’s thought and work.
Life and Events
Dr. Narendra Achyut Dabholkar
Date of Birth: 1 st November, 1945
Education – M.B.B.S. (1970)
Medical Profession – 1970 to 1982
Founder – Samajwadi Yuvak Dal, Satara (1975)
Member – Samata Andolan
Maharashtra (1982 to 1985)
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12 years in Medical Profession after acquiring the Degree in 1970.
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Full time activist of Movement since 1982.
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Active participation in ‘One Village One Pond’, ‘Renaming of Marathwada University’ etc
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Work of eradication of superstitions since 1982 till end of his life.
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Worked relentlessly against all types of superstitions by way of Awareness, Formation and Struggle.
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Wrote 12 books on Superstitions, Scientific Temper, Rationalism. Many Editions were published.
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Founded Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti in 1989. Remained Executive President of it, continuously for 20 years.
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Delivered thousands of speeches on Psychological Health, Rational life - style. Participated in hundreds of Radio and TV Channels Programmes and penned hundreds of Articles in print media.
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Editor of ‘Sadhana’ for 16 years, A Weekly magazine established by Sane Guruji.
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Secretary of the Trust which Publishes ‘Sadhana’.
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Founded ‘Parivartan Vyasanamukti Kendra’ (De-addiction Centre) at Satara in 1989. He was firm on his view that Addiction is a Mental Illness and to contain it we must go for comprehensive awareness, restrictions, resistance and treatment.
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Founder of ‘Samajik Krutadnyata Nidhi’ (Social Gratitude Fund), an Organisation which provides financial assistance to full-time social workers. Remained Executive Secretary till end of his life.
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International Kabaddi player. Was selected to represent India against Bangladesh for playing Kabaddi Test Matches.
Work of Eradication of Superstitions –
As a Founder of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti and Executive President of it for 21 continuous years, he played a major role in the entire work of eradication of superstition in Maharashtra. Of course, looking at the comprehensive nature of work, his co-workers also played an important role in this work.
Review of this work-
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He was having 2 Dispensaries and a Hospital in 1982, which he shut down and became full-time activist of this Movement. He carried out this work continuously for more than three decades. During this period, he never accepted any Honorarium from the Organisaion. For 30 years he was travelling to different places by spending 20 to 22 days every month for the work of Organisation.
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During this period, he delivered at least 3000 lectures on Scientific Temperament, Eradication of Superstitions, Rationalism, Secularism etc.
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He wrote numerous books on Scientific Temperament and Eradication of Superstitions and the same were published by renowned Publishers. These Marathi books are (Marathi Title and English meaning thereof are given in the bracket) as under –
भ्रम आणि निरास(Delusion and Solution), अंधश्रद्धा प्रश्नचिन्ह आणि पूर्णविराम (Superstitions, Question Mark and Full Stop), अंधश्रद्धा विनाशाय (Annihilation of Superstitions), विचार तर कराल (Please think), श्रद्धा – अंधश्रद्धा (Faith – Blind Faith), ठरलं डोळस व्हायचं(Decided to turn un-blind), ऐसे कैसे झाले भोंदू (How these Charlatans came?) , लढे अंधश्रद्धेचे भाग - १, २, ३ (Fights against Superstitions, Part 1,2,3), विवेकाची पताका घेऊन खांद्यावरती (Carrying a flag of Rationalism on the shoulder), तिमिरातून तेजाकडे - अंधश्रद्धा निर्मूलनाचे समग्र आकलन (From the Dark to the Light – Understanding thoroughly, the Eradication of Superstitions).
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Hundreds of Articles were published in most of the main newspapers in Maharashtra, during 30 years.
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Many interviews and Programmes, independently or jointly, related to Superstitions were broadcasted on different Channels.
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One MP2 Audio CD containing 10 main speeches is released.
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Numerous news items were published in newspapers. Participated in campaigns like - fight against Godmen and improper traditions, stopping animal sacrifice during Religious Fairs, promoting and arranging Satyashodhak method Marriages which are free of Caste-Dowry-Priest-Auspicious Days-Expenditure, Environment friendly Holi festival, Pollution-free Diwali, Restriction pollution being caused by emersion of Ganesha idol and many fights regarding scrutiny of religion.
Awards Received –
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Only person to receive Maharashtra State level two Awards, Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Award and Shiv Chhatrapati Youth Award.
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Received Best Book writer Award by Maharashtra State on THREE occasions for three different books. (अंधश्रद्धा : प्रश्नचिन्ह आणि पूर्णविराम, ऐसे कैसे झाले भोंदू व अंधश्रद्धा विनाशाय या पुस्तकांना.) In addition to this, received many awards from renowned Institutions.
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Many Social Institutions awarded Certificate of Honour.
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The Best Activist of the Decade Award by Maharashtra Foundation, New Jersey, US. The Award amount of Rs.10 lakhs was donated by Dr. Dabholakar to Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti.
Padmashree Award (Posthumously) by Govt. of India in the year 2014.
Let us Understand the Types of Branches!
Lead Branch:
This is the active and Leading Branch in a District. This Branch is self-reliant in many aspects and assists-guidesother Branches. Takes Lead
Active Branch:
This type of the Branch conducts regular meetings (Weekly/ quarterly),executes campaigns of MANS and which is always active.
Enterprising Branch:
The Branch which does not conducts meeting regularly, but executes occasional Activities of MANS.
Link (Contact) Branch:
Link Branch does not conduct meetings or executes any activity. Only Contact persons are available here. Such Branches are called Link or Contact Branch.