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It seems that Pratibha Patil is not really blessed by Sonia but instead by Shani. The BJP-led campaign against Pratibha Patil seems to be faltering as she looks all set to be elected as India’s next President. Sadly, all sane outbursts against her candidature fell on deaf ears. But her impending success is characterized by a trend that is now so typical of her candidature. Times of India, our so-proud national newspaper puts a secondary headline under the main one that beats all WTF reaction.
A reading of the article makes for more WTF moments and although the lone voice of reason is expressed in the last paragraph, the reporter seems to be convinced of the effect of a distant planet on our Presidential elections. Although not new in the Indian political scenario, it is ridiculous of a mainstream newspaper to give front-page coverage to such superstition. What’s next? Favorite color of the Presidential hopeful? I am not sure why I continue to expect any more from the TOI; probably because it is still considered as India’s primary English-language newspaper by Indians and foreigners.
by Patrix | on Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 at 3:13 pm | 
India, Media, Politicking . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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July 18th, 2007 at 3:59 pm reply
If the leading Presidential candidate proclaims she speaks with dead people, why can’t a reporter at the leading newspaper believe in astrology? :-)
July 18th, 2007 at 4:25 pm reply
Santosh, I guess we should be ready for such superstition-riddled stories for the term of her Presidency. No calling the majority party to form the government until Shani is in the right house.
July 19th, 2007 at 8:01 am reply
No calling the majority party to form the government until
ShaniRahu Kaal isin the right houseover.Fixed that :-)
July 19th, 2007 at 2:28 pm reply
Isn’t it apalling that Patil’s background has come under so much scrutiny, but ministers routinely get elected to much more important posts with real life implications, inspite of having downright despicable records of murder and corruption.
July 19th, 2007 at 3:52 pm reply
Santosh, you seem to know more about astrology than Ms.Patil. Ever consider running for President?
BTW, read the TOI article. It mentions Shani as being beneficial for women but not for men. Go figure!
Ashutosh, I guess we get what we deserve. Unfortunately, I don’t think we are that bad. The rant against Pratibha Patil was because she was aiming for the post of President. No one really cared when she was the governor of Rajasthan.
July 20th, 2007 at 8:54 am reply
Patrix,
That tidbit of knowledge is courtesy my grandpa who was a respected astrologer and my mom who dabbles in it some. Some things drilled into your head as a kid you never forget. For instance, no new tasks to be started in Rahu kaal. Of course, I would have no idea how to calculate when Rahu kaal is.
Re: the Shani stuff. According to my mother, Shani can be both beneficial and harmful to both men and women depending on which house (or something to that effect).
Then again I’m no expert :-)
July 20th, 2007 at 3:21 pm reply
Santosh, You at least know much more than I do. But generally speaking, with such a long history of ’study of astrology’, I would have expected an overarching/generic theory to have developed already. Of course, that would be a problem only if it were a scientific field.