Indian Humanist Union
Encyclopedia
The Indian Humanist Union (IHU) is an India
n Humanist
organisation established in 1960 by Narsingh Narain. The forerunner organisation, founded by Narain in 1954, was the "Society for Promotion of Freedom of Thought".
IHU is affiliated with the International Humanist and Ethical Union
(IHEU). The official symbol of the IHU is a version of the Happy Human
.
The funding arm of the organisation, the Humanist Endowment Fund Society (HEFS) was established in 1970. Donations are eligible for deduction from taxable income.
IHU publishes a quarterly journal, the Humanist Outlook
which began publication in 1966.
, India. In 1960, he founded the Indian Humanist Union, an organisation for promoting humanism
, which is affiliated with the International Humanist and Ethical Union
(IHEU). Narsingh Narain is one of the main humanist thinkers of twentieth century India. Some of his important essays have been collected in a book titled A Commonsense Humanism and Other Essays.
.In 1954 itself Narsingh Narain founded the Society for the Promotion of Freedom of Thought, which was the forerunner of the Indian Humanist Union. In 1966, Narsingh Narain started a quarterly journal, Humanist Outlook, which he edited till the end. He used the journal for promoting ethical values, social reform, communal harmony and rational
outlook on life. In 1970, he founded Humanist Endowment Fund Society (HEFS). Its aim is to provide financial support for humanist activities.
Narsingh Narain used to write widely in Indian and foreign journals. He wrote more than a hundred essays on humanist subjects. He attended the world congresses of the International Humanist and Ethical Union in London
(1957), Oslo
(1962) and Boston
(1970). He made valuable contributions to the deliberations in these congresses. On his death he bequeathed all his life’s savings to the Humanist Endowment Fund Society.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n Humanist
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
organisation established in 1960 by Narsingh Narain. The forerunner organisation, founded by Narain in 1954, was the "Society for Promotion of Freedom of Thought".
IHU is affiliated with the International Humanist and Ethical Union
International Humanist and Ethical Union
The International Humanist and Ethical Union is an umbrella organisation embracing humanist, atheist, rationalist, secular, skeptic, freethought and Ethical Culture organisations worldwide. Founded in Amsterdam in 1952, the IHEU is a democratic union of more than 100 member organizations in 40...
(IHEU). The official symbol of the IHU is a version of the Happy Human
Happy Human
The Happy Human is a secular icon and the official symbol of the International Humanist and Ethical Union , a world body for Humanism, and has been adopted by many Humanist organisations and individuals worldwide. Its origin was a competition organised in 1965 by the British Humanist Association...
.
The funding arm of the organisation, the Humanist Endowment Fund Society (HEFS) was established in 1970. Donations are eligible for deduction from taxable income.
IHU publishes a quarterly journal, the Humanist Outlook
Humanist Outlook
The Humanist Outlook is a quarterly magazine published by the Indian Humanist Union....
which began publication in 1966.
Narsingh Narain (Founder IHU)
Narsingh Narain (1897-1972) was born on October 4, 1897 in Uttar PradeshUttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, India. In 1960, he founded the Indian Humanist Union, an organisation for promoting humanism
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
, which is affiliated with the International Humanist and Ethical Union
International Humanist and Ethical Union
The International Humanist and Ethical Union is an umbrella organisation embracing humanist, atheist, rationalist, secular, skeptic, freethought and Ethical Culture organisations worldwide. Founded in Amsterdam in 1952, the IHEU is a democratic union of more than 100 member organizations in 40...
(IHEU). Narsingh Narain is one of the main humanist thinkers of twentieth century India. Some of his important essays have been collected in a book titled A Commonsense Humanism and Other Essays.
Biography
Narsingh Narain joined U. P. Civil Service in 1923. He remained in service till 1954. In 1954, he took premature retirement from government service so that he could work for promoting free thought. Narain had rebelled against traditional religious beliefs in his younger days. He favoured a scientific and tolerant attitude to life and religionReligion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
.In 1954 itself Narsingh Narain founded the Society for the Promotion of Freedom of Thought, which was the forerunner of the Indian Humanist Union. In 1966, Narsingh Narain started a quarterly journal, Humanist Outlook, which he edited till the end. He used the journal for promoting ethical values, social reform, communal harmony and rational
Rationality
In philosophy, rationality is the exercise of reason. It is the manner in which people derive conclusions when considering things deliberately. It also refers to the conformity of one's beliefs with one's reasons for belief, or with one's actions with one's reasons for action...
outlook on life. In 1970, he founded Humanist Endowment Fund Society (HEFS). Its aim is to provide financial support for humanist activities.
Narsingh Narain used to write widely in Indian and foreign journals. He wrote more than a hundred essays on humanist subjects. He attended the world congresses of the International Humanist and Ethical Union in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
(1957), Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
(1962) and Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
(1970). He made valuable contributions to the deliberations in these congresses. On his death he bequeathed all his life’s savings to the Humanist Endowment Fund Society.