OVO

Today (22 July 2009) there is a solar eclipse over India. I was thus reminded of Gora (1902-1975), an author, philosopher and friend of Gandhi. Gora wrote a series of articles titled “I Learn.” Here is an article from 6 March 1969…

“I was teaching for a year at a college in Colombo city. I was 25 and my wife 17 years of age. My wife and I were bred up in orthodox Hindu tradition. We shared its virtues as well as its drawbacks. One belief was that an expectant mother should not move out, cut or break anything at the time of an eclipse, but should confine herself indoors and rest in darkness. Transgression of the practice, it was believed, would maim the foetus. First time my wife was in the family way six months when a solar eclipse came in. According to the convention, she should retire into a dark room at the time. But we were beginning to grow atheistic. So we both argued, ‘if the effects of an eclipse on expectant mothers were a reality, as real as the fire scorches and a thorn pricks, all expectant mothers, Hindu or non-Hindu all over the world, should be effected equally. But in Colombo city where non-Hindus abound, why do women, of whom there should be a considerable number of expectant mothers too, move about freely, unmindful of the occurrence of the eclipse?’ This comparative thinking emboldened us to violate the traditional belief. My wife walked out into the open air, cut vegetables, bit and ate sweetmeats, as the solar eclipse was in progress. Later she normally delivered of a normal child. Superstitions grow in communities due to indolence to think and fear to act.”

Gora lived in haunted houses to dispel the notion of ghosts, he hosted Beef and Pork Parties to point out how the dietary restrictions found in religions kept people apart, and he founded The Atheist Center. Wikipedia: “The Atheist Center provides counseling, promotes intercaste and casteless marriages, works to abolish child marriages, provides aid to prostitutes, unwed mothers and vulnerable women, debunks superstitious beliefs by holding firewalking demonstrations and debunking other ‘miracles,’ educates against belief in witchcraft and sorcery, and promotes sexual education and family planning.”

I hope that thousands of women who might have otherwise cowered in fear today are instead taking advantage of the chance to see the eclipse – or just get on with their daily lives. Thank you, Gora.