Speech on Science and Superstitions👇
Exuberant good morning to one and all. Honourable President, Respected Principal,my colleagues and my dear students.Today,we are living in the 21st century,in the modern era which is known as the age of science and technology.Today, science has made a wonderful progress in all the walks of life.Though we are living in this scientific age,still there are so many superstitions in our Indian society.What is superstition?
Yes, superstition means a belief in supernatural forces.It means blind belief.
Most of the people in our society became the victims of superstition.Many Indian social reformers,such as Mahatma Fule ,Rajaram Mohan Roy,Pt .Iswarchandra Vidyasagar and many more tried to eradicate the evil customs and superstitions from the society. The saints like Rastrasant Tukodoji Maharaj and Gadge Maharaj also tried to eliminate the superstitions from the society through their literature , chantings ,Bhajans and pravachans. To kill hens,goats or men before the goddess was practised for gaining the blessings of goddess ( पशुबळी आणि नरबळी)That was also a kind of superstition.
Late Narendra Dabholkar and Dr.Kalburgi also tried to eliminate the blind beliefs from our society but unfotunately they were shot.
Friends, have you heard the name of Prof.Shyam Manav. Well,he also tries to remove the superstitions from the society through his lectures.Superstitions elimination Committee (अंधश्रद्धा निर्मूलन समिती) is also doing the same job for the society.
People link some events with good or bad omen. But in this scientific era ,there is no room for superstitions.Still there are certain superstitions exist which are irrational.Science has made the impossible things possible with the blink of an eye .Science and Superstitions are poles apart.Yet they are the two sides of the same coin.I would like to share few examples regarding this.e.g 1) To eat curd and sugar before heading out for some important work ,is considered to be good luck .
But it has scientific reason.
Curd has a cooling effect on the stomach and sugar provides glucose that make you energetic to do your work easier and successful.So, its consumption is linked to good luck.
2) Lemon and green chillies hanging together in the front of the shops.
It is one of the most commonly seen superstitions .Well,it is used to avoid buri nazar .But the scientific reason behind is that both(lemon and chilly) are rich in vitamins and create certain odour that helps to keep away the insects.
3) To bathe after attending the funeral ceremony.
In the past people died of some sort of infectious diseases or epidemic diseases.So, people used to take bath after coming back from the funeral to prevent themselves from the infection from the dead bodies.Still this practice is going on.
4) Lizard's falling on human is considered bad luck.
But there is nothing like that.The scientific reason behind this is that lizard releases poisonous chemicals from its body in order to protect from enemies.So, bath is taken after it falls on someone.
5) To fast on certain days .
It has also the scientific reason.It is good for our health to fast once in a week.
There are so many examples of superstitions.
- To cut the nails at night.
- To cut the hairs on the certain day.
- To eat curd at night.
- If the cat crosses the road when we go,it is considered bad omen*.
- Barking of dogs .
- Cawing of crows .
- Ghost residing in peepal tree.
- Throwing coins in the rivers brings good luck .etc
Friends, the purpose of giving these examples is that don't be superstitious.Some events occur co-incidentally and so people started believing in certain things by linking the events to good or bad luck.In marathi ,we say कावळा बसायचा आणि फांदी तुटायची.
We have to remove the superstitions from the society and develop the scientific views in people. We should make the people aware of this so that our society will progress and ultimately our country will be developed.I hope,you will develop your scientific insight, vision.
I give full stop to my speech.
Thank you.🙏🙏
