“On 3 March 2008, in a popular TV show, Sanal Edamaruku, the president of Rationalist International, challenged India’s most “powerful” tantrik (black magician) to demonstrate his powers on him. That was the beginning of an unprecedented experiment. After all his chanting of mantra (magic words) and ceremonies of tantra failed, the tantrik decided to kill Sanal Edamaruku with the “ultimate destruction ceremony” on live TV. Sanal Edamaruku agreed and sat in the altar of the black magic ritual. India TV observed skyrocketing viewership rates.”
Needless to say the tantrik failed miserably and Sanal triumphed. I quickly shot off a congratulatory message to Sanal through the Rationalist International website and had planned to blog about it but it slipped my mind. Just remembered today while sorting my mailbox. I have seen Sanal in the media a few times since my teens as he took on dummy godmen, Sai Baba included and rubbished their bogus miracles by performing them himself and explaining the science behind them. And I have always admired the man and contemplated on how many more Sanals the highly gullible people of my country needed! The text of my message:
“Kudos Sanal! Count this as yet another congratulatory message amongst the thousands you may have already received!
Apart from being awed by your steadfast belief in rationality and science, what really evoked a strong respect in me was your courage. As the article on the website says, quoting a scientist on the program, ‘It needs enormous courage and confidence to challenge them by actually putting one’s life at risk’. But you always knew that your life was in absolutely no risk, didn’t you?! 
Hats off to your conviction!
Hats off to your conviction! What can I say, I am a fan! 
”
” The videos on YouTube: