KATHMANDU: Now, Nepal can safely assume that China is responsible for its Maoist insurgency. At least one astrologer is certain that the Maoists have grown stronger because China has been piling up arms and explosives to the country’s northeast!
That’s not the only gem that has emanated from an international conference of astrologers, tantriks and vaastu experts in the Nepalese capital. Their point of concern was South Asia: why is the region constantly suffering from terrorism, insurgencies, and natural calamities, and is it possible to ward off such dangers? The three-day event has drawn 500 practitioners from around Asia.
According to one astrologer, lack of knowledge among the people about solar, lunar, and other planetary positions and a failure to respond to their impact on humanity form the basis for misfortunes. “When people fail understand the ‘astrological impacts’ in the stars, they fail to respond to their impact,” said Neeti Chaturvedi, a Vedic astrologer-cum-vaastu consultant from Kota, Rajasthan. “That’s when misfortunes and disasters befall us,” she said, before going on to claim that Nepal has been a victim of insurgency because “China has been piling up arms and explosives in the northeast direction”.
Most astrological ‘experts’ were pleased that they have been able to achieve common ground at the conference. Pintu Bhattacharjee, an astrologer-cum-journalist from Assam, said it felt great to be in Nepal and that the exchange of ideas and experiences with fellow astrologers has added to his knowledge of the subject. Other astrologers sought recognition for the profession and complained that the absence of a curriculum and non-recognition by governments is hampering their work.
Dr Lok Raj Poudel, president of the Nepal Astro-Council, said the conference would issue a declaration highlighting such issues, including the need for astrologers to follow a code of conduct. “We are very happy with the reputation we enjoy and the money we make,” said Poudel, who has been telling fortunes for more than 20 years. “But we need to change with the times and keep up with the advances in science and technology.”
So, if you are wondering when Sri Lanka could expect peace or what would befall Nepal this year, look to the stars for an answer.
