| 1. Shyam Manav is a rationalist and anti-superstition activist who conducts workshops on various themes including family relations and parenting. |
| 2. He was influenced by several Gandhians while growing up in the Paunar Ashram, founded by Vinoba Bhave. |
| 3. He initially held superstitious beliefs, which he overcame through philosophy discussions at college. |
| 4. He was actively involved in youth organizations that focused on creating equality and addressing exploitation. |
| 5. As a lecturer of English Literature, he merged his teaching career with journalism by publishing in renowned newspapers and magazines. |
| 6. He met rationalist B. Premanand while working as a columnist, which led him to advocate against superstitions. |
| 7. He challenged a religious guru to prove his divine powers, leading to a controversial case that threatened his safety. |
| 8. Manav changed his surname to avoid caste identification, which is significant in Indian culture. |
| 9. He has authored multiple books addressing rationalism and superstition. |
| 10. He worked as a lecturer of English Literature at Ner after completing his degrees. |
| 11. He helped draft the Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act enacted by Maharashtra in 2013 following the murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. |
| 12. In January 2022, he challenged religious guru Dhirendra Shastri over claims of miraculous cures. |
| 13. In 1975-76, he was imprisoned for 9 months under MISA for protesting against the Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi. |
| 14. He received the Savarkar Award from the Swatantra Veer Savarkar Memorial Superstition Eradication Committee in 2014. |
| 15. In 2002, he demonstrated by putting burning camphor in his mouth to prove it caused no harm. |
| 16. He has faced multiple assassination attempts due to his activism against superstitions. |
| 17. He worked as a journalist for Nagpur-based newspapers such as Tarun Bharat, Nagpur Patrika, and Lokmat. |
