Jim Herrick

Jim Herrick speaks at the International Rationalist Conference

Jim Herrick, Honorary Associate of Rationalist International, author and Director of Publications of Rationalist Press Association (RPA) will speak at the forthcoming International Rationalist Conference on 8-12 February 2002 at New Delhi, the capital of India. He will speak on Midnight's novels: rationalism and the Indian novel in English.

Jim Herrick lives in London and edits the quarterly journal New Humanist, published by RPA. He studied history and literature at Cambridge University and taught literature at various schools. He also edited The Freethinker, published by National Secular Society (NSS), and International Humanist News, published by International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). Publications: "Vision and Realism: a hundred years of the Freethinker", "Against the Faith: Deists, Sceptics and Atheists" and Humanism: an introduction (forthcoming).

About his speech at the International Rationalist Conference, Jim Herrick writes:

There is a long tradition of story-telling in India from the Mahabharata to the innovatory novelist and poet Tagore. Since Independence (from Rushdie's 'Midnight') there has been a rich vein of novels by Indians written in English. (Of course, there is also a full vernacular tradition that would have to be dealt with in a different lecture.) Story telling is a way we understand ourselves and our world.

Rationalists value openness, individuality, scepticism, caring for others -- all themes to be found in various ways in these novelists. We are all citizens of a region, a country, a world and it is through our social, communal links that we are fully human. This consideration of the individual's place in society is crucial to the novel.

Among the novelists to be considered (not all avowed rationalists) are Amit Chaudhuri, Salman Rushdie, R. K. Narayan, Arundhati Roy, Anita Desai, Rohinton Mistry, Bharati Mukherjee, Amitar Ghosh.

Rationalists greatly value the power of reason and analytical criticism: but the power of the imagination provides a powerful human resource and it is above all for the celebration of the imaginative faculty that we value the novelists.

Listen great lectures! Meet interesting people! Enjoy a memorable visit to India, the land of Taj Mahal and other monuments of breath-taking beauty.

We welcome you to join rationalists, humanists, atheists, skeptics and secularists from all parts of India and around the world in the mega event -- International Rationalist Conference. (For more details and a downloadable registration form, please visit www.rationalistinternational.net)

THIRD INTERNATIONAL RATIONALIST CONFERENCE

New Delhi, India: 8-12, February 2002

Registration will close on 31 December 2001

Dear friend,

We cordially invite you to join us in the Third International Rationalist Conference. Registration for the Third International Rationalist Conference is still open. Join Rationalists -- Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists, Secular Humanists and Skeptics -- from around the world. Meet rationalist thinkers and fighters who influence social change. Exchange ideas, views, experiences and visions. Identify the creative dimension of Rationalism. Discuss the potential of transforming societies. Set the course for the future of enlightenment and humanism. Witness history.

More details about the International Rationalist Conference, tentative schedule of events, flight information, and a  downloadable registration form are given below.

Looking forward to seeing you in Delhi in Frebruary,

Convenor, Reception Committee, Third International Rationalist Conference

Visit India - the land of Taj Mahal and the world's oldest Rationalist tradition

THIRD INTERNATIONAL RATIONALIST CONFERENCE

New Delhi, India: 8-12, February 2002

India is not only the land of hundreds of monuments of breath-taking beauty; it is the land where history's first known rationalist tradition once flourished. At present India has one of world's most active and vibrant rationalist movements. The Third International Rationalist Conference is at New Delhi, India's historic capital where past and present blends and future awaits on its wings. We invite you to join rationalists, humanists, freethinkers, skeptics and atheists from all around the world. For more details, read further.

Creative Rationalism THIRD INTERNATIONAL RATIONALIST CONFERENCE New Delhi, India: 8-12, February 2002 REGISTRATION OPEN NOW The registration for the next International Rationalist Conference is open now. Please print the registration form and send the completed form as early as possible.   An Introduction to the Conference Tentative Conference Schedule Miracle Exposure Workshop Registration Fee Accommodation Get together Dinner Cultural Events A visit to Red Fort and the Light and Sound Show Handicrafts Festival Visit to Taj Mahal Visiting Other Parts of India Climate of Delhi in February Air Travel Information

Rationalist International invites you for an extra-ordinary event: The Third International Rationalist Conference. Join Rationalists -- Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists, Skeptics and Secular Humanists -- from around the world. Meet rationalist thinkers and fighters who influence social change. Exchange ideas, views, experiences and visions. Identify the creative dimension of Rationalism. Discuss the potential of transforming societies. Set the course for the future of Enlightenment and Humanism. Witness history.

Reason, equipped with knowledge and moved by compassion, is the most suitable instance to analyze the problems of our times and to create solutions, which can make the earth a better place for all its inhabitants. But "creative rationalism" means more.

Rationalist solutions have not only to be created but to be implemented too. When tradition, habit, prejudice, superstition and arbitrary authority gang up to block them, when the established framework of values, laws and institutions blindly protects the status quo and the continuation of the problem, Rationalism has to fight for the transformation of society.

Unfolding its creative potential, Rationalism does not limit itself to correction and reform of the existing situations. It has a tendency of developing new structures and rebuilding the world according to its own principles. This needs imagination, confidence and responsibility. And it needs courage, determination and will to succeed.

We need to keep setting high goals and achieving them.

On 10 February (Sunday) in the afternoon, there will be a miracle exposure workshop for all the participants of the conference.

Gurus, conmen and miracles have great influence in the thinking pattern of the gullible all over the world. Indian Rationalists have developed a unique mass education program to educate against blind beliefs, superstitions and ignorance. For those who have seen the British TV documentary on Indian Rationalists, "Guru Busters", a unique opportunity to see them all live! All famous guru tricks like sleeping on nail bed, walking on fire, levitation, eating fire etc. will be demonstrated and explained by experts. Participants will have the opportunity to practice the tricks themselves.

Registration fee per delegate for the conference is US $ 150 (or equivalent in Sterling or Euro or Indian Rupees).

To ensure your participation, please send immediately a check / demand draft favoring "International Rationalist Conference" along with the completed Registration Form. Printable Registration Form is just a click away. Payments for more than one participant can be made together in one check. But each participant has to fill up separate Registration Forms. Further detailed information about the conference will be sent to those who register as participants. Payments for the optional events can be made till 31 December 2001.

Please send your completed Registration Form and check for registration fee by registered airmail to:

Conference Secretariat,
International Rationalist Conference,
779, Pocket-5, Mayur Vihar Phase 1,
New Delhi 110 091,
India

If you would like to be considered for a subsidy in registration fee as a participant from a developing country, please write to Conference@rationalistinternational.net

The organizing committee is negotiating special reduced rates for the delegates in several hotels near the venue. Once the special rates are finalized, the information will be passed to the registered delegates. Rooms will be available from about $ 100 to $ 20 per night depending on the category of the hotels.

Advance payment for two nights may have to be made at least one month in advance to ensure confirmed rooms at reduced rates.

On 9 February (Saturday) evening, there will be a Get Together Dinner. High above the dancing lights of the pulsing metropolis of Delhi, we celebrate the Conference. (Spirits extra!). Optional event, $ 30.

In several states of India local rationalists have successful street theatre groups. They not only carry messages to the people, but also try to excel in their special field. Special dances and the performance of the Rationalist Street theatre form part of the cultural events.

Indian history in an aesthetic presentation full of fantasy performed in one of the centers of the historical events itself: in Red Fort, the capital fort of the Mughal empire. Open air performance till around 9.00 p.m. (don't forget to take a jacket or pullover with you!). Half days visit to Red Fort and the evening Light and Sound show on 11 February (Monday). Transport in coaches. (Including travel by coach, entrance fee at the fort and the Light and Sound show fee). Optional event, $ 30.

Every year from 1 to 15 February craftsmen and women from all over India gather in Suraj Kund near Delhi for a great handicrafts festival. They demonstrate their skills and display their colorful products in abundance and manifold that can only be seen here. Of course, you can buy everything, if you are interested. We organize a visit to the festival grounds on February 14 (Thursday), transport in coaches. Optional event, $ 30.

Taj Mahal, the world famous architectural wonder in pure white marble, built by Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal, is at Agra, 175 kilometers south of Delhi. There you can also visit the mighty Agra Fort made of red sandstone. Shajahan lived here for many years: first as the ruler of the Indian empire and later as a prisoner, looking through his window at Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna till his death. We organize a special Agra trip for conference participants on 13 February (the next day after the closing of the conference). One day program with visit of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, including journey and all transportation, guidance, breakfast, lunch and dinner, all taxes and entrance fees. Optional event, $ 190.

We suggest that you may use your participation in the International Rationalist Conference to see the best of India. Combine your visit with a holiday and loose yourself to the wonder that is India.

Some suggestions:

• Rajastan: The monuments and palaces of desert.
• Ganges: The mighty river and the holy cities on its banks.
• Himalayas: The valleys of glacier mountains.
• Khajurao: Lost (in the forest) and regained city of erotic sculptures.
• Wild life sanctuaries: India's rich and colorful flora and fauna.
• Golden sands: Sun-bathed beaches of Goa - legacy of the Portuguese.
• Kathmandu: The capital of the only Hindu kingdom and home of great Buddhist stupas.

If you need any assistance in organizing your further travel in India, please don't hesitate to ask us. Conference@rationalistinternational.net

The climate of Delhi is very comfortable in February. It is one of the best travel times for Northern India. The day temperature is about 21-25 degrees C. Nights are cooler, the temperature can drip down to 6-7 degrees C. Generally there are no rains during this season, though unexpected short showers can't be ruled out.

New Delhi is well connected to all international centers. There are direct flights to Delhi by nearly all major airlines.

From mid-January onwards, till April, many airlines offer cheaper tickets to India due to the reduced traffic after Christmas-New year holidays. Please consult your travel agent for advice on cheaper tickets. Also ensure that your flights are reserved well in advance (tickets can be purchased later).