Lavanam Goparaju is the current president of the Atheist Centre, a social institution that promotes positive atheism, based in Vijayawada, Andra Pradesh, India and founded by Lavanam's parents, Gora and Saraswathi Gora, in 1940.
Lavanam oversees a number of projects at the Atheist Centre, including the Gora Science Centre; programs to promote secularization and the challenge of local superstitions; combating witchcraft and sorcery claims as well as the dismantling of the Hindu caste system; and classes in sex education and family planning. Lavanam has been recognized by a number of international organizations for his work, including the International Ambedkar Society, the South Place Ethical Society (UK) and Atheists United (US) and received a number of awards, including the Mandali Krishna Rao Award (2001); the Mahatma Gandhi National Award (2006); and the Jamnalal Bajaj Award (2009).
Lavanam Goparaju at the podium, 2010-10-03
Photograph : F. Ward
Mahatma Gandhi declared during the later part of his life that both theists and atheists are seekers after truth. Earlier in his life, he stated that "GOD is Truth"; but before his end, he modified this and came to understand instead that "Truth is GOD". For a theist, GODs exist for human solace and welfare. Those who do not believe in GOD are denying self. Denial of self is nothing but non-recognition of human life as against the will of GOD whose existance is a matter belief than a social reality. But atheists act the other way round. For atheists, human beings exist for themselves and cooperate with each other for their well being. We repose confidence and trust in the positive human actions for the benefit of universal human socities. This invariably has an inbuilt message that all humans should unite for a better world where the posterity will live in harmony and peace. Working towards this goal is the responsibility of all atheists in the world today.