Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities

International Journal of Social Impact ISSN: 2455-670X Volume 5, Issue 3, DIP: 18.02.002/20200503 DOI: 10.25215/2455/0503002 www.ijsi.in |July - September, 2020 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities Naresh Kumar1* ABSTRACT Parapsychology is a field which studies paranormal (psi) events which are bizarre and intriguing and currently beyond explanation by laws of science. It encompasses study of Extra Sensory Perception (telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition and remote viewing); life after death theories and Psychokinesis. The importance of this knowledge field is recognized abroad and several foreign universities and educational institutions are teaching this through on line/class-room courses and intensive research is going on to understand different aspects of Parapsychology. However in India we have not yet made a beginning. This paper briefly explains Parapsychology; analyses reasons why Indian Universities may not have yet embraced this in their study curriculum; what benefits can be achieved by studying and researching this knowledge field and why Indian universities must go for it. An approach is also outlined for starting the study and research in this field in Indian Universities. Keywords: Parapsychology, Interface of Parapsychology Parapsychological research; Study and research of psi with Indian Universities, We, often come across events that leave us perplexed because we cannot understand how could these happen? People were wonderstruck to witness an event where a person sitting miles away from his house perceived that there is fire around his house and it had actually happened; there are occasions when someone tells you what is going in your mind and it is exactly that, which you were thinking; someone gets a communication in dream from a relative detailing a secret and he is dumb-struck to find it correct and is terrified because the relative had died long ago; many a times premonition of an event comes true or you get perplexed when you see a person narrating who he was in previous birth and when checked it is found true. These are baffling events and are not normal, hence, termed as Paranormal. These events are grouped under categories of Extra Sensory Perception (ESP) or Survival after death or Psychokinesis (PK). Since these are not normal events, so, these are treated as 1 Advanced Certificate in Parapsychology from Australian Institute of Parapsychological Research, Australia *Responding Author © 2020 I licensee IJSI. This is an Open Access Research distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any Medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities Paranormal. The term "psi" is taken to notify these paranormal events. Term psi is derived from the 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet and the first letter of word Psyche. The study of psi forms the subject, "Parapsychology" which studies the paranormal (psi) events. PARAPSYCHOLOGY is the scientific study of paranormal phenomena and paranormal belief. Researchers across the world are researching on this. To get a feel of the paranormal happenings, let us take a look on some incidents which leave us wonderstruck; the events are real but unexplainable by laws of science: Stevenson, (1984) gives accounts of baffling instances where people recall what they were in previous birth and, the incidents, when verified are found to be true. There is a reincarnation case of Sharada (a Bengali lady), who is reborn in Maharashtra as Uttara. Uttara began to have apparent memories of an earlier life when she was in her thirties. These memories occurred during dramatic changes in personality, at which time she spoke, Bengali (Marathi was the only language she knew), which she apparently neither spoke nor understood in her normal state, and which, she apparently never had an opportunity to learn. There is a mention of manifestation of apparition in the book by Judith Ennamorato (2006), Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt has recorded perhaps the best story of Lincoln's ghost: “I was sitting in my study when one of the maids burst in on me in a state of great excitement. I looked up from my work and asked her what the trouble was? “He is up there ---sitting on the edge of the bed, taking off his shoes!” she exclaimed “Who’s up there taking off shoes?” I asked "Mr. Lincoln!" she exclaimed" Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands saw the ghost of Lincoln during a state visit. While spending a night at the White House during Roosevelt Presidency, she was awakened by a knock on the bedroom door. Answering it, she was confronted with the Ghost of Abraham Lincoln staring at her from the hallway. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, and Harry Truman, all, reported hearing unexplained rapping on their bedroom doors. They all believed it was Lincoln. On several occasions, the wife of Calvin Coolidge reported having seen the ghost of Lincoln standing with his hands clasped behind his back, at a window in the Oval Office, staring out in deep contemplation toward the bloody battlefields across the Potomac. During one of his visits to the States during world war two, Winston Churchill spent the night at the white house. On one occasion, he climbed out of the bath and naked, save for the Cigar, sauntered into the adjoining bedroom. Startled, he looked up to see Abraham Lincoln standing by the fireplace in the © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 9 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities room, leaning on the mantle. Churchill simply blinked before saying, "You seem to have me at a disadvantage,” Lincoln apparently smiled softly before simply disappearing.” Lincoln had a dream few days before about his on-coming death, prior to meeting his death. And there is a dream incident narrated by Krippner (2006), when during his dream, his friend’s wife “Spotted Fawn” says that she will not be seeing him anymore and the next morning he hears news of her death. We have seen prophesies of Nostradamus come true. USA army had been using " Remote viewing" as a spying weapon where the mediums having the capability of seeing things miles and miles away were able to perceive details of enemy army installations. This program known as the Star Gate program (Marwaha Sonali and Prof May, 2015) continued for more than 20 years till the satellite era ushered in. History abounds in such bizarre and intriguing incidents which have stunned the mankind because these incidents cannot be explained by existing laws of science and occurrence of these cannot be explained by our known five senses—hearing, seeing, smelling, touching, and tasting. We have been studying human experiences and behavior in Psychology in Indian universities. In the same way, I suggest that we must study Parapsychology (beyond psychology) in Indian Universities. This paper is an attempt to persuade Indian Universities to bring this field in their educational curriculum. Educational Institutions abroad have started the work in this intriguing field and such events are being investigated by curious Parapsychological researchers. The subject has grown with the research of over a century. Experimental research in laboratories is also happening in some laboratories in foreign universities. Around 1910, Stanford University entered into parapsychological research, studying Clairvoyance and Psychokinesis under stringent laboratory conditions. Later, in the 1920s, The Parapsychology Laboratory of Duke University entered the field, led by J.B. Rhine (1894-1980). Rhine believed that psychical research should be moved out from societies doing the research and brought it into laboratories in university and changed the research to experimental science. Rhine undertook experiments that followed the scientific methods of other disciplines (e.g., using quantitative data & statistical analysis). Another type of laboratory experimental studies started with Ganzfeld experiments, which studied telepathy in laboratory. © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 10 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities Now there are many organizations abroad, who are doing experimental Parapsychological research. Some universities abroad have started courses on parapsychology to prepare researchers who can take the research forward. Worldwide research is going on, some in universities and others in special institutions. Many people who have an inquisitive mind and are curious to explore this unknown field are coming forward and joining these courses. I also joined one such course run by the Australian Institute of Parapsychological Research and completed an Advanced Certificate course on Parapsychology. There may be many more in India who may be interested in this field but they curb their curiosity because there are no parapsychology courses in Indian Universities. Why Indian Universities may not have gone for Parapsychology May be Indian universities have not introduced this course thinking that this course does not lead to career building and hence they may not get candidates for the Parapsychology course. But do all current courses being taught are tailored for career building? Knowledge expansion is the only propelling forces behind many courses which do not lead to career building? There are indeed a majority of courses that attract students that open avenues for jobs for them. Students passing out from schools rush to universities to seek admission to such courses in colleges with the sole aim of getting into employment or to engage in a profession. They would like to get into medical, engineering, law, computer science, mass communication, psychology, etc., that are going to help them get a job. Many times, only after failing in above, they are forced to go for an academic course that may not fetch them a job easily. But is it always true? Horn Michael B and Moesta Bob, 2020 offer a different point of view, “……Research we’ve conducted over the last several years, however, shows the narrative that students are going to college simply to get a job isn’t quite so tidy. The decision-making process is far more complicated. Over the course of the past several years, we've collected and analyzed more than 200 detailed stories of students making the decision to attend some form of post-secondary education with the goal of understanding what was causing them to enroll. We discovered that people choose a college for five major reasons: 1. To get into their best college; 2. To do what’s expected of them; 3. To get away; 4. To step it up; and 5. To extend themselves. We’re not suggesting that getting a job isn’t a part of these reasons. Rather, we are saying that the explanation that students are primarily going to college to get a job is woefully incomplete. © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 11 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities For example, students looking to get into their best college or university often want to gain access to a network and entry-level opportunities that will lead to a good-paying job in the future. But their driving motivation is much more about getting into college, less about what college will help them do or attain. These students are swayed by everything from the opportunity to have the "classic college" experience on a beautiful brick-and-mortar campus to the opportunity to reinvent themselves among new people at a prestigious place that is highly regarded. Higher education institutions must help these students develop and deepen their understanding of who they are by supporting them in broadening their horizons, building passions, and finding their current purpose. That sounds pretty close to what traditional colleges and universities have historically been offering and have viewed as their purpose.” So it is not absolutely true that all the students who enter into arts stream are forced to do so because they could not get into such streams which could fetch them job easily. Even if forced in such a stream, it is not true that they do not get good jobs after having developed themselves. I recall when I passed out higher secondary with 56 % marks in 1966(at that time it was not considered a poor score compared to what we have now), I was sad because I could not get entry into engineering or even in B.Sc. Physics. I stood in the queue for admission in B.Sc. Chemistry though I disliked Chemistry. I told my father that I am reluctantly going in for Chemistry so that I could get a job after graduation whereas I like Mathematics, a subject in which I got a distinction in Higher secondary. My father was not highly educated but still, he gave me the right advice and said that all fields are good if you excel in them. So, I changed the queue and went for B.Sc. (Hons.) Maths and I did not regret this in my life. Having completed graduation with distinction, I competed and got into Indian Statistical Institute for doing M.Stat.(Master of Statistics) and went into a successful professional career where many engineers worked under me (and I had desired to be an engineer!!) So the crux of the matter is to do what you are good at. Even in five reasons given in above paragraph for choosing a field by a student, the most important is second reason i.e., " To do what is expected of them" At graduate level, any course is good because of the five reasons as mentioned by Bob and Horn because it makes you an aware person and brings in maturity by helping you discover what you are. After graduation one can again go for professional courses as I did and make a successful career. As we see- even the courses that do not promise career opportunities are also offered by universities and are pursued by the students who opt for these as per their liking. Parapsychology is also such a knowledge field which currently will not offer career opportunity but certainly, it will broaden the knowledge base and give you immense satisfaction that you are pursuing a course which is still unexplored and has vast opportunities to do research and contribute a lot to benefit the mankind. So, it is wrong on the part of universities that there will be no takers. Curiosity to learn about mysteries will certainly bring forth many candidates for this course who would © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 12 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities eventually do pioneering work in this field which will help the society in many ways—I dwell on benefits from Parapsychology later in this paper. Another and more pertinent reason may be that Parapsychology may not be thought to be credible enough a subject to get the attention of Indian Universities to accept it as a course to be taught or researched. Till now, Parapsychology has not been able to achieve a place in mainstream science and the parapsychological researchers look expectantly to educational institutions to provide them a platform that could support their research efforts to get its place in science; the platform is, so far, denied in India. Whereas, universities abroad have provided this platform to this extra-ordinary field of knowledge. Here it will not be out of place to understand why Parapsychology has still not got its rightful place in mainstream science. The impediments on the way are gigantic. Naresh Kumar (2020) listed nine major impediments: • Lack of commonality in the definition of subject matter- the matter being discussed is not defined in a unanimous way by various parapsychological researchers/research organizations. • The negative definition of psi-psi happening is seen as the perception of an event which is not happening through known senses, e.g Telepathy is the transfer of information between two brains in absence of normal mechanisms which can account for it ---the definition does have a negative base. The problem arises because psi phenomena are not defined by what they are but in terms of what they are not. • Failure to achieve replications- the major factor against Parapsychology being accepted as a subject in mainstream science is that the psi events are not replicable. Alcock (2003) cites many research papers to bring home this point, rather, he goes on to say that parapsychologists have never been able to produce a demonstration that can be reliably replicated by researchers • Lack of continued progress in research- Seemingly credible findings in Parapsychological Research at one time, do not get pursued in the future since new research puts question marks on the credibility of so-called credible findings. • Methodological flaws in experiments- In parapsychological research, many instances are found that seemingly credible psi experiments lost credibility once a flaw was found in experimental design. • Reliance on statistical methods in PSI research- Jessica Utts (1999) is of the view that it is the role of statistics to identify and quantify important effects and relationships before any explanation is found in research. Statistical methods are of use at the discovery phase of research. Only after such a study indicates a possibility that a relationship or effect exists, the justification stage of research starts where the use of that particular field of science attempts to find causal aspects of the effect. In psi research, the statistical tool assumes a null hypothesis that the effect seen is not caused by chance only and the data collected is subjected to statistical tests of significance. © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 13 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities • • • In case when the null hypothesis gets rejected strongly, the effect can be thought of due to some assignable cause. But finding out what those causes are is not within the scope of Statistics. The absence of chance causes does not necessarily mean that psi is the cause. Thus, even the use of statistics is not sufficient for psi getting accepted by mainstream science since causal research. Theorizing the event before it comes out of data- Very aptly said by Alcock (2003) "Parapsychology is motivated by a belief in search of data rather than data giving an explanation." This is a major flaw which pushes Parapsychology away from mainstream science No Physical Explanation possible for PSI -- John Beloff (1980) staunchly believes that there cannot be a physical explanation to psi. He says that psi cannot get explained because a theory which is physical cannot cover psi and conversely a theory that encompasses psi could not be strictly physical. Possible trickery and other unscientific explanations of psi- The trickeries were done by many tricksters to gain easy fame and money proved a major blockade. Hansen (2001) summarizes trickery events. The credibility of Parapsychology suffered a big jolt by these tricksters. So, a strong wall seems to stand between Parapsychology and Mainstream Science. But this wall will break. There was a wall between Galileo and science when he talked about the earth revolving around the Sun which was vehemently opposed by the whole society to the extent that his life was threatened. But science advanced breaking all barriers. History has shown us that the mysteries have unfolded by the advancement of science. To make this happen, researchers need a solid platform where a team of researchers from parapsychology, psychology, physics and neuroscience can jointly research this field; and Indian universities can provide this needed platform. Universities nurture the seeds of knowledge; and Parapsychology, also, will grow into a knowledge tree in the fertile ground of universities and educational institutions. And why not in India? Benefits expected from Parapsychology Most of us may not be aware that Parapsychological Research will reap huge benefits for mankind. As stated earlier in the paper, already the US army was benefitted by using remote viewing as a spying tool to locate enemy army installations under the Star Gate program. They ran this program even without studying the science behind it and they ran it for more than twenty years till the satellite era set in. © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 14 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities Even a simple belief in survival after death has helped our society in several ways. Naresh Kumar (2020) discusses this in his paper, “Purpose(s) served by belief in life after death.” He points out that the belief in life after death serves as positive reinforcement in current life-Nirvanic beliefs about transcendental-future. “LaGrand (1999) presented several ways, by which, ADC (After Death Communication) experience could be used in grief counseling. He emphasized that the critical view is not whether After Death Communication can be confirmed or refuted but how this belief can be used to help people deal with the loss. Krippner (2000) narrates surveys that indicate the positive effect of ADC on experiencers of after death communication with the deceased loved ones. Devers (1994) in his study, claimed that pain of the loss of dear ones was greatly reduced with the belief of survival after death. Among several purposes served by belief in life after death, it has, also, helped in therapeutic applications as well. The therapeutic approach, “Induced after-death communication”, is developed by Botkin with Hogan (2005). They advocated “Inducing” ADCs with the Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Modality (EMDR), a therapeutic modality, often used to treat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.” It is found that after death communication instills a belief in survival and this belief in survival serves following purposes in the life of experiencers of after-death communication: 1. ADC gives comfort and reassurance that the relationship continues even after death. 2. The experiencers feel that they get protected from oncoming dangers because the deceased could pre-warn them about the same. 3. ADC provided them a sense of life purpose and meaning. 4. ADC confirmed the hope that there is life after death; e.g., the self is immortal and removed the fear of death. 5. Sometimes ADC helped to complete unfinished business giving great relief. 6. ADC changed the way of looking at life through reduced anger, guilt, and/or anxiety against the deceased. 7. The belief of survival gave a good feeling that the deceased loved him/ her and had not forgotten even when passed away. 8. ADC provided information hitherto unknown. 9. Helped survivor to make his /her own exit from the world easier and less painful. © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 15 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities Mankind, is thus, benefitted by just a belief in life after death i.e., Parapsychology, even, when its research is in infancy has helped the society. If research progresses with the support of universities, we may reap higher benefits to society. Research in Parapsychology will result in having a great impact on our society; Just imagine if we could understand the mechanism of "Remote viewing " and make it happen at our will, how much it would impact the society. Distance will disappear, the world will become small; we would be able to know what is happening many miles away without depending on mass media as proven by the Star Gate Program of the USA. We shall be well informed and extremely confident when gifted with this capability. Suppose research on telepathy gets us to its root-cause and we are able to practice telepathy as per our need and will; it will revolutionize the very fabric of society. "Precognition" if practiced will keep us prepared for eventuality in a better way as we will be forewarned about coming dangers. If the mystery of reincarnation is researched, it will throw light on what happens after death. Research in life after death will unfold the mystery about what happens to us when we die. As we saw above; just a philosophical explanation makes people lose the fear of death, just think the impact on our lifestyles when we are knowledgeable about our existence/ non-existence after death. Our values will undergo a big change when the fear of the unknown gets eliminated. Ignorance breeds fear and Parapsychological researchers are busy in removing this fear. Across the world, physicists/ psychologists / medical researchers are busy understanding the psychic paranormal phenomena. They are of the view that the solution to the mysteries of paranormal lies in having more understanding about unknown parts of the human brain, and more importantly, in understanding what is “Consciousness”. So, research is going on in neuroscience parallel to Parapsychological research. Thus, on way to research in Paranormal, there will have to be significant advances in medical and physical sciences without which parapsychological research will not have a breakthrough. It will facilitate a need for relevant research in other branches of science. Bringing together different branches of science will create wonders in unfolding intriguing mysteries. Thus, we are going in for a big leap in scientific knowledge if we pursue study and research on Parapsychology. © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 16 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities Why should Indian universities support Parapsychology? In foreign countries, a realization has already come that research in parapsychology is going to have catalytic action in research in other branches as well and to pursue the psychological study and research can bring a revolution through expansion in our knowledge and would usher in advancement in other branches of science as well, namely-Physics, Neuroscience, and Psychology and hence they have started teaching and researching this field. Why should India lag behind? Indeed, Parapsychology deals in aspects that are bizarre and baffling and we are still not able to explain why such events manifest. But we cannot deny that the paranormal events do occur and we cannot shut our eyes on them just because science has not progressed enough to discover laws of science that have an explanation to the paranormal happenings. Nature has many mysteries in its lap and these become the way of life with the advancement of science. With this in mind, the foreign educational institutions are continuously working on the advancement of science through extensive research in Parapsychology and different branches of science to unfold the mystery behind paranormal. Indian Universities must also become a part of the researching fraternity abroad by embracing Parapsychology. In the above paragraphs, we looked into benefits that can come after understanding factors underlying paranormal phenomena, the biggest benefit will also be a catalytic action leading to big leap in many branches of science besides converting paranormal into normal. I strongly feel that the Indian universities must take a cue from foreign educational institutions and must make a beginning in Parapsychological studies and research. We all know that the educational institutions work for expanding the knowledge base. Mankind is a keen observer of nature and with thinkers in its fold, the mysteries of nature unfold. The Paranormal events which are studied by Parapsychology are the events happening in nature for which, presently, we do not have an explanation. Science will advance and a day will come when we shall be able to find the facts behind these intriguing events. Causal research will happen to explain the facts behind these mysteries. As stated earlier also, the expanded knowledge base through joint efforts of determined researchers from Parapsychology, Physics, Neuroscience, and Psychology, will make this happen. For this, it is only Universities that can provide the basic platform. It is here where the valuable help and support can and must come from Indian Universities as already happening abroad. After all, educational institutions are apostles of knowledge, they assimilate knowledge, impart knowledge, and expand knowledge. The secrets behind the bizarre paranormal happenings, if © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 17 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities unveiled will add to knowledge. Why are so many researchers abroad, studying the paranormal phenomena? It is the sole intent to add to knowledge. Foreign educational institutions have recognized this fact and have become supportive. Even independent institutes have come up solely to study and teach Parapsychology. Foreign universities have started teaching and researching this field. India, also, must join this noble effort. Worldwide research is going on, some in universities and others in special institutions. Parapsychological research is being pursued in many countries and there are many online courses. Australian Institute of Parapsychological Research is one such institute from where I obtained their highest certificate viz., Advanced Certificate in Parapsychology. Some of the research institutes across the globe are: • Australian Institute of Parapsychological Research---- Lance storm • The oldest one is Society for Psychical Research founded by Mr. Frederick Myers in 1882 It is in London and is still functional • American Society for Psychical research---Dr. Kelly • Austrian Society for Parapsychological Research • University of Virginia, USA has a division called division of Perceptual Studies founded by Prof Ian Stevenson engaged in research in Extra Sensory Perception, Apparitions, neardeath experiences, out of body experiences, claimed memories of previous lives. And there are many more which are not covered in above list. In foreign countries, teaching and researching is going on and new findings are being reported, whereas we, in India, are not even thinking of making a beginning in this important endeavor of adding to the knowledge base of mankind. In India, awareness has to come in our intelligentsia in Indian Universities that Parapsychology is a door to vast knowledge, which, if opened will help mankind in a great way. In India, a beginning, though, was made in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam which established the Dept of Psychology and Parapsychology in 1967 through efforts of Prof. K. Ramakrishna Rao (Presently Chancellor of GITAM University, USA). In the early part of the Dept's history work in parapsychology was carried out under the guidance of Prof. Rao. However, later much work in this area was not done. I suspect one of the reasons for its discontinuance was the non-availability of faculty in enough numbers to teach this in class-rooms. Aside from this, I am not aware of any other Indian University that catered to this subject matter. Thus, Indian Universities are still not on the world map for imparting Parapsychology education © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 18 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities or research and we are already late. We must, now, immediately take up the study and research in Parapsychology without wasting further time. How to initiate starting Parapsychology in Indian Universities If, in India, we have the realization that Parapsychology must have a beginning in Indian University, the next step would be to chalk out a plan and implement it. The problem with introducing a course in Parapsychological research is the absence of faculty trained in the subject matter. Some stalwarts in Parapsychology are Indians who have gone abroad. Dr Sonali Marwaha is one such figure who represents us in the world of Parapsychology and there is Dr Rao whom I mentioned above. The universities may approach them for guidance and may even offer them positions which can bring them back to India and lead the universities in this field. Even here in India, there are some knowledgeable people having knowledge about the subject, who are working in isolation in different parts of India; some have formed Paranormal Associations; some are writing blogs while others are investigating paranormal happenings like haunted house by performing investigations at site. There may, also, be independent researchers like me, who may have obtained certificates from foreign Institutions and maybe expanding the knowledge in this field by keeping abreast research which is going on across the globe. Indian universities can try to bring them together on one platform and use them as faculty after polishing them further through experts from abroad. Universities can make efforts to make them reach a world-class level by trying to get them trained by world-renowned Parapsychologists. A step in that direction could be by organizing conferences /seminars where these foreign stalwarts could be invited to universities to give awareness lectures to the intelligentsia of university to create awareness about the field and, then, workshops could be held involving the interaction of above faculty with these stalwarts which could get our faculty updated on the subject. Before we start class-room training and while developing needed faculty, we could start with organizing online certificate courses and enroll students and conduct the course with limited faculty. The enrolment could be open to all people interested in the subject without restricting this to only the student community; we may even enroll employed people of all ages. We can give them online training through available literature and test their progress by asking them to write essays and examine the essays to evaluate their knowledge on subjects covering all aspects of Parapsychology. Naturally, fees for the online course will partly cover the expenses incurred in running these courses and partly the funding will have to be done by the universities. This will create more faculty from the students who acquire the knowledge. When, we have faculty in sufficient numbers, then we can start regular classroom courses. As for text books there are excellent books available on each topic in Parapsychology. © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 19 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities After we are having a pool of learned faculty members, we could chalk out a syllabus for starting a post-graduate diploma in parapsychology under the faculty of Psychology. The syllabus should cover apart from Parapsychology other disciplines-- basic psychology, elementary statistics, some aspects from physics and aspects from neuroscience concerning Brain. These subjects will equip the students to understand the subject in a better way. This could be a one-year Diploma course. This course will prepare potential researchers in Parapsychology who can work under the guidance of existing experts and prepare for a doctoral degree. Parallely, universities can start research initiatives immediately by organizing a small teams comprising of interested researchers from psychology, neuroscience, medicine, physicists, statisticians and an established parapsychological researcher, who can work together in researching the paranormal phenomena with a mission to unravel the causal aspects of Paranormal. An approach to causal research is outlined by Naresh Kumar (2020) in his paper, “Parapsychologytowards causal research which might be a starting point for research. To start with, the group could, also, study vast research material available on the net, or access it from journals from Parapsychological Association and other reputed Parapsychological journals; do joint brainstorming on each aspect of paranormal activity and work on writing and publishing research papers to move us in the direction of finding causal reasons for happening of paranormal events. This can start after we establish a structure of the research cell under their faculty of Psychology. This should start immediately. As suggested in the paper, we can start generating awareness simultaneously about this promising field amongst Indian intelligentsia by inviting Parapsychological experts from different parts of the world who have made great names while researching this field to deliver awareness lectures. We can have them deliver guest lectures before distinguished intelligentsia of Indian Universities and other institutions. The above-constituted research team and the selected faculty should use this opportunity to interact with these international scholars and try to gain as much knowledge from them as is possible in available short time. On similar lines, the university could invite Indian Paranormal Investigators and give them a platform from where they can share their experiences with the intelligentsia of universities. Our research team can, also, have liaison with them and make them agree to inform us whenever they come across Paranormal events and our team could also join their investigation, but, with a different purpose in mind to try to reach to the causal roots of paranormal happenings. The university should subscribe to international journals on Parapsychology and give access to the research team to the research work happening across the world. The University should also become an Associate member of the "Parapsychological Association" a professional organization of scientists and scholars engaged in Parapsychological Research and has an affiliation with the © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 20 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities "American Association for the advancement of Science" It has eminent parapsychologists, Psychologists, other scholars and world Institutions as its members. Awareness will also get created in India, once, our research team starts publishing research papers in Indian / International journals. The research team after having established its credibility; can, then, propagate awareness in India by doing presentations /programs on TV or other media. We may also try to develop information channels through university's contacts with media /news agencies to whom we could request to inform us whenever they come across paranormal events in India. Our research team could rush there to get its first- hand information and experience and do investigations and try to explore causal reasons which will help the parapsychological research. Finally the universities could go in for experimental parapsychological research by establishing laboratories where real life research experiments can be done to probe into different fields of Parapsychology. I am passionate about it and I want India to be on the world map for this intriguing field, which, in, near future is going to gain the importance it deserves in mainstream science. I humbly appeal to the intelligentsia in Indian Universities to come forward and take a lead for putting India on the global Parapsychological map. CONCLUSION Through this paper, I have tried to explain what Parapsychology is and also highlighted possible reasons why it is not embraced by Indian Universities so far. I have also highlighted problems faced by this intriguing field to gain credibility in mainstream science. Through causal parapsychological research, this credibility will come by itself when we shall explore the secrets lying behind the mysterious paranormal events. As explained, we experience many baffling events in nature and we are so over-awed that we consider them Paranormal events but when science advances and explains theories behind those paranormal events, those, no longer remain Paranormal but become normal events, the evident examples are Thunder and Rainbows; which were Paranormal to primitive man. Science advanced and established scientific theories and these got explained. Same had happened to correct us when we wrongly believed that Sun revolves around earth. It was only with advancement of science that the secrets were unfolded and we found correct fact. Same way, science will advance and will explain these paranormal events. Parapsychological research will lead us to the needed advancement of science in that direction. And Indian universities must play a major role in this. We discussed the possible reasons why Parapsychology is not embraced by Indian Universities till now, even when it is being taught and researched in foreign universities. In this paper strong reasons have been put forward which compel us to start this study in Indian Universities. Apart © International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 21 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities from the benefits which will accrue with study and research in Parapsychology, most important of all is its capacity to push science to expand its horizons because parapsychological research would warrant needed research into the human mind, consciousness and hitherto unknown channels of communication and perception. Parapsychological research has to move in direction of understanding the mind. Also, laws of physics are currently inadequate to explain how thoughts can travel without a barrier of time and space. Thus, while researching in parapsychology we shall have to research in physics, neuroscience domains as well. The Parapsychological research will lead to catalytic action for pushing research in the domains of Physics, Neuroscience, and Psychology. Parapsychological research will have snowballing effect on scientific knowledge expansion. Since Universities are apostles of Knowledge, these must come forward in pursuit of knowledge. Foreign universities are doing it and, now, Indian universities, also, must contribute to expanding knowledge by embracing Parapsychology. The vital realization has already come in foreign countries and India must not lag behind. Indians are working abroad in pursuit of this knowledge, why can't Indian university provide a platform in India itself to them to unravel mysteries of Paranormal while staying in India. They must be given suitable positions here in India to set up curriculum and take the Parapsychological study and research forward. We are a race known for our intelligence and would create wonders if Indian Universities lend support! For the cause of knowledge expansion, the apostle of knowledge, the Indian universities; must embrace parapsychology in its fold without losing further time. REFERENCES 1. Alcock J E (2003) “give the null hypothesis a chance—a reason to remain doubtful about existence of PSI”—Journal of consciousness studies, 10, No. 6-7 2003, pp 29-50 2. Beloff John (1980) “Could there be a physical explanation for PSI” (Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, volume 50, No.783, March1980) 3. Botkin, A. I., with Hogan, R. C. (2005). Induced after-death communication: A new therapy for healing grief and trauma. Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads. 4. Devers, E. (1994). Experiencing the deceased. Florida Nursing Review, 1 (3), 7–13. 5. Ennamorato Judith (2006) Astrals, Auras & Apparitions: A Compendium of the Paranormal; Trafford Publishing, 6E-2333, Government St., Victoria,BC V8T 4P4 CANADA 6. Hansen (2001). Prominent “psychics”. G. P. Hansen, The trickster and the paranormal (Chapter 10). Philadelphia, PA: Xlibris Corporation. 7. Jessica Utts(1999)-“The significance of Statistics in Mind Matter Research”(Journal of Scientific exploration, volume 13, No. 4, pp 615-639, 1996) 8. Horn Michael B and Moesta Bob, 2020. Inside Higher Ed, volume 1, No. 6. http.www,insidehighered.com/views/2020/01/06/pervasive-narrative-students-are-going© International Journal of Social Impact | ISSN: 2455-670X | 22 Interfacing Parapsychology with Indian Universities 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. college—just—get-a-job-isn’t always-so-true Krippner, S. (2000). Spotted Fawn’s farewell. In L. Lawson, Visitations from the afterlife: True stories of love and healing (pp. 87–88). San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco. Krippner, S. 2006. Getting through the grief: After-death communication experiences and their effects on experients. Kumar Naresh (2020) Will Parapsychology (study of psi) ever be accepted by mainstream Science. International Journal of Social Impact ISSN: 2455-670X Volume 5, Issue 1, DIP: 18.02.003/20200501 DOI: 10.25215/2455/0501003 www.ijsi.in; January - March, 2020 Kumar Naresh (2020) The purpose(s) served by believing in life after death, The International Journal of Indian Psychology, ISSN 2348-5396 (e) | ISSN: 2349-3429 (p), Volume 8, Issue 1, DIP: 18.01.073/20200801,DOI: 10.25215/0801.073,http://www.ijip.in | January- March, 2020 Kumar Naresh (2020) Parapsychology-Towards Causal Research, International Journal of Social Impact ISSN: 2455-670X Volume 5, Issue 2, DIP: 18.02.010/20200502 DOI: 10.25215/2455/0502010mwww.ijsi.in |April-June, 2020 LaGrand, L. (¡999). Messages and miracles: Extraordinary experiences of the bereaved. St. Paul,MN: Llewellyn. 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