By Firoz.T.Totanawala
The Bangalore Metro Reporter
PLANETS AND THE PEOPLE
TV ASTROLOGERS TAKE GULLIBLES FOR A RIDE. MUST BE BANNED.
The other day, a TV astrologer created fear among people, particularly women folk by stating that those married on particular dates face serious problems and to ward off the evil, they should get their Mangalasutras removed and wear it again after purification in the name of God or Gods with animal face. Interestingly, he asked the people to come to him to get the purification process of their Mangalasutras!
Astrologers making one or the other bundle predictions on TV are common today. They act as if they are the messengers of God and people should believe them and do what they tell them. And the tragedy is that some people blindly follow their orders given on TV shows. These astrologers are thus making money in heaps by instilling fear among the gullible followers.
Then there are scientific astrologers and numerologists who also appear in TV chat shows. They also put their foot in the mouth by giving predictions none of which prove right. The TV channels try to bring in more new faces but many astrologers, numerologists and scientific astrologers have become dominant. In spite of their repeated blunders in predictions, they continue to play dominant roles in peoples’ lives and continue to appear on Television shows.
Few astrologers had predicted a clean sweep victory for Indian cricket team in their England tour, months ago. But, unfortunately, it was a clean sweep in the negative way. Similarly, most of the astrologers had predicted Sachin to score his hundredth century at Lords but he ducked!
Arguably, the TV channels have glorified the ‘Astro’ talks only for the sake of the TRP. If an ‘eclipse’ is to happen, the channels bring in astrologers to talk about the evil effects of the eclipse on people, born in ‘Rashi’ etc. and they also advice the ‘would be’ affected to undertake some preventive measures to ward off the evil effects. Interestingly, they reel out few facts as a result of their vast research to make people fear more.
It should be remembered that no astrologer predicted Yeddyurappa’s fall from the CM post. They simply said that he will face difficult times and because of the various Satvik and Tantric sevas he was doing, the difficulties will vanish and he will complete the full term. But he was removed halfway. Even after his resignation, many astrologers predicted Jagadish Shettar becoming the CM, but, Sadananda Gowda took the pie. Similarly, none of the astrologers and numerologists predicted Yedurappa going to jail. But, he did go to Jail.
Normally, the astrologers are soothsayers, which are in a way, counselors. There are a negligible number of astrologers who try to provide relief to the disturbed people through kindling hope for the future, and they do not depend on astrology for their livelihood. Whether their predictions come true or not, people get some mental satisfaction, at least for the time being. But, the society has to be vigilant of bundalbaaz astrologers who have made it a roaring business.
If one looks at the business of TV astrologers, one has to pay Rs.500 for registration and appointment and wait for the turn. On the appointment day again, the customer has to pay Rs.500 for consultation. Thus the astrologer is paid Rs.1000 per head - 500 for registration and 500 for consultation. And the real business starts during the consultation. The customer is enlightened about the evil forces or bad phases hindering them or their family and remedial measures are recommended which costs not less than Rs. 15000. In a way, these astrologers make multi million business by scaring the ordinary people.
Some astrologers advertise of “Taking fees after relief”. They say they will charge fee only after people get relief! This may be sweet news to ears, but here too, one has to pay Rs.500 towards registration. And during consultation, this ‘challenging’ astrologer, as usual suggests some remedy. He then asks the customer to bring all the ingredients as per the list given to him on his own to imply that he will not get any commission on purchases. Innocent customer then “forcefully” convinces the astrologer to arrange the items and pays few thousands depending on the estimate of the astrologer because some items are not easily available.
Nobody knows whether the astrologer conducts the remedial Shanthi or Prayoga but he gives a pendent or a ring or a talisman. If the customer gets relief, on some or the other reasons, he believes the astrologer and pays up huge fee! In case, if the customer does not get relief, the astrologer tells him that he had done something wrong and nobody quarrels with him.
Whatsoever, the astrologers are playing with the sentimental attachment of people with the astrology. One wonders why the so called intellectuals and people with scientific temperaments are keeping their lips sealed.
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