Dr. B. V. Raman (1912-1998)

Founder-Editor: The Astrological Magazine
Founder-President : Indian Council of Astrological Sciences, Regd.
Founder Chairman: Raman & Rajeswari Research Foundation, Regd.

Dr. Raman’s life was wholly in the study of relations between cosmic and terrestrial phenomena. He was able to demonstrate by his writings and predictions made through The Astrological Magazine, his lectures, research papers and other media that astrology was a science of cosmic influences affecting human life. Dr. Raman influenced the well-read public and made them astrology cognisant. His special fields of research were Hindu astronomy, astro-psychology, weather and political forecasts, disease diagnosis, natural calamities, management and other areas in relation to celestial phenomena. Dr. Raman restarted The Astrological Magazine in 1936 and was its editor for over 62 years. This unique case of one single individual editing a monthly uninterruptedly for over six decades merits a place in the Guinesses Book of World Records.

Dr. Raman travelled round the world a number of times representing India at the Astrological Congress held at Cambridge, England and the International Astrology Conference at New York. He delivered lectures in Germany, England, France, Italy, Austria, Holland, Canada, Japan and the United States of America, addressing universities, medical associations and educational and cultural institutions on different aspects of astrology, Hindu astronomy, philosophy and Indian culture.

Dr. Raman was the first to deliver a lecture Relevance of Astrology in Modern Times in 1970 at the United Nations, New York, which evoked much interest in diplomatic circles.

Dr. Raman founded an all India body, the Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (Regd.) in 1984 to regulate the study and practise of astrology in the country with Chapters in Bangalore, Madras, Delhi, Kanpur, Trivandrum, Patna and other cities. He inspired and motivated the intelligentsia to take up the study of astrology as a serious pursuit. In 1992, Dr. Raman, on a vist to the United States of America to deliver the keynote address of the First International Symposium on Vedic Astrology held at San Rafael, California, mooted the idea of a national and the American Council of Vedic Astrology was founded under Dr. Raman's blessings by a group of Americans. Countless people in that country have taken to the study of Vedic astrology. In 1993, Dr. Raman founded Raman & Rajeswari Research Foundation to promote the cause of Astrology, Yoga, Vastu, Ayurveda, Vedanta, and other aspects of vedic knowledge.

Dr. Raman presided over several important conferences at both national and international levels. He delivered the keynote address at the First International Symposium on Vedic Astrology in October 1994 at San Rafael, California, U.S.A. when he was honoured with the Life-time Achievement Award for his services to the cause of astrology. He was conferred the Man of the Year 1995 award by the Centenarian Trust, Madras, formed in the memory of the Kanchi Paramacharya, in February 1996. He was the inaugural speaker and chief guest at the National Conference on Disaster and Technology held at Manipal on 25-9-1998.

He was assisted in his activities by his devoted wife Mrs. Rajeswari Raman who took keen interest in the study of Yoga, especially in its application to women. She visited Europe and America several times and delivered demonstration-talks on Yoga.

Dr. Ramans recreations included lawn tennis and gardening. A teetotaller of the strictest order, he was a classic example of the ideal of the Rishi of ancient India in modern world, with his exemplary life of simple living and high thinking. It would not be an exaggeration to say ‘Na Bhooto na Bhavishyati’ - Never before, never again - There will not be another like him.