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| Addiction to the science of prediction | | Indians want astrological advice on everything | | BL KAK
NEW DELHI, Apr 7: Americans go to a therapist every week to cope with life. In India, on the other hand, millions of Indians are turning to their televisions at all hours for the forecast--not of the weather, but of their fortunes. And India's addiction to the science of prediction has spawned astrology-centred programmes on many of India's 320 television channels, including those devoted to news and current affairs.
Interestingly, at least a dozen stations are devoted to astrology 24 hours a day. Yet another thought-provoking piece of information: Of 41 new channels whose applications to begin broadcasting are being considered by the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry, almost all will devote airtime to astrology. For many Indians, particularly women, there is no such thing as too much astrology. Every morning at 7am, thousands of viewers. according to one finding, settle down to watch Shristi, an all-day astrology channel, to find out what the day holds, what meals they should eat to ward off sickness, and whether they are likely to have adverse problems.
Gone are the days when Indians would have individual consultations in person with astrologers. Now millions tune in to watch them-- often as a handy emotional crutch. The programmes' repertoires are varied, including horoscopes, agony aunts' advice to distressed viewers, or predictions about Bollywood liaisons. They also keep an eye on the news and tailor their programmes to fit current issues.
The most flagrant display of deep belief in astrology came recently after Bollywood actress and former Miss World, Aishwarya Rai, 33, announced her engagement to Abhishek Bachchan, a 31-year-old actor. Their impending nuptials are billed as India's "wedding of the decade". However, on the advice of astrologers, Aishwarya has already been married-- to a banana tree! Astrologers class her as a "manglik," whose husband faces ill-health or an early death, the hope is that the curse will befall the tree instead.
The Bachchans' genuflection at the altar of superstition has shocked only a few--including Prabir Ghosh, the head of the Science and Rationalists Association of India. "The Bachchans are stupid and I am ashamed of their nonsense", Ghosh is quoted as saying. Ghosh's pointed question: "How can they call themselves educated?" Equally incensed is Shruti Singh, a lawyer in Patna, Bihar. Disgusted by the tree union, she has filed a lawsuit against the two families, arguing that such ceremonies are offensive to women. Shruti Singh's sarcastic comment: "Abishek's father Amitabh Bachchan is so influential that if he stops smoking, Indians give up smoking. I amm disappointed that he has put his stamp on a backward, archaic ritual".
It is an established fact that Indians want astrological advice on everything. Marriage is the most important matter. Other hot topics are whether to accept a job offer, when to buy a car, move house, conceive, and how to sort out a love affair. I, too, have an interesting piece of information for EARLY TIMES readers and well wishers. I personally do not know much of astrology. This notwithstanding, almost every day I receive telephone calls from some of my relatives and friends, one of of them is a Union Minister, only to know from me calculations or predications based on astrology in relation to "immediate" future of each one of them. I have so far concealed one fact--that is, I myself continue to be in search of a person with high intutive powers, who can precisely answer my questions vis-a-vis my future.
Some specialise in medical astrology, with callers asking about health issues, while others provide investment and business advice. Prime Ministers often dare not announce a general election and nor do film directors start a shoot without getting an "auspicious" date. Kolkata alone has eight 24-hour astrology channels and many south Indian cities also have their own, offering a miscellany of fortune-telling, numerology, tarot card-reading, gemology, graphology, and vastu shastra, the Indian version of feng shui.
The belief in astrology among Indians is an article of faith that transcends all social differences. It has become a regular practice for Indian parents to have a horoscope drawn up soon after a baby is born and, in an attempt to speed things up, two young astrologers in Hyderabad have pitched their tents, equipped with laptop computer and printer, right outside the city's hospital.
Many Indians have no doubt that astrology can change people's lives for the better. The glamorous Sunita Menon, India's most famous celebrity soothsayer, was an air hostess when a tarot reader predicted that she would change jobs. Now she hosts a hugely popular television programme and was recently appointed to the board of India's most famous music company, Tips Industries, to advise on investment and business decisions.
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