Unforseeable future --- Article in the HT of May 2, 2008, by Khushwant Singh

May 11, 2008

" Unforseeable future " --- Article in the HT of May 2, 2008, by Khushwant Singh

It can be scientifically established that all methods of forecasting

future events are false and baseless. Those made by the most eminent

of astrologers have proved wrong. It is the same with palmistry:

lines on the palms of hands do not reveal either longevity, brains,

wealth or the number of children a person will have. In short, they

indicate nothing. The same applies to numerology, crystal gazing,

tarot cards and readings from ancient manuscripts like Bhrigu

Samhitas or Sau Sakhis. They are totally fake. I am compelled to

think that people who believe in such things or take columns in

papers and magazines based on signs of the Zodiac seriously are

mentally retarded except for the fact that so many of them have much

higher IQs than mine and have got much further in life than I: for

example, Murli Manohar Joshi, Jayalalithaa and TN Seshan. The most

intelligent of Indians, including Marxists, are known to consult

soothsayers to find out `auspicious' times before taking important

decisions. It would not be wrong to state that over 90 per cent of

Indians believe in some form of futurology or the other. That is one

reason why I was happy to read that our former president APJ Abdul

Kalam refused to indicate an `auspicious' time for taking oath of

office. And I was disappointed to hear that our lady rashtrapati was

congratulated by an astrological society of Jaipur because she was

one of its patrons.

I would like to take a bet of any sum of money with believers in

astrology: if they can as much as tell me what will happen to them

and me the day following our wager and get it right, I will concede

defeat and promise to keep my mouth shut ever after. However, if

they can't foresee their own tomorrows, they must concede they

cannot forecast what the future holds for others.

-Khushwant Singh

May 11, 2008

Dear Deepika,

Thanks for Khushwant Singh's views....I have no comments to offer...

Are you also an atheist ? It is currently in fashion...to proclaim so...and also to display one's bad manners too....

In any case,pl. stop sending mails to me,I do not wish to engage in any sort of discussions with you...perhaps when your grow to be 50 years old or above we will discuss this subject in detailed...you are presently just like a"frog-in-the-well" and you presently "think" that your miniscule knowledge and experience of living life,raising children and facing unforeseen difficulties in life etc., does not qualify you to discuss this profound subject with me...at this time in your life...

This correspondence is closed.

L.Y.Rao.

dipika blr <blr.aspirant Sent: Sunday, 11 May, 2008 4:06:09 PM "Unforseeable future" --- Article in the HT of May 2, 2008, by Khushwant Singh

"Unforseeable future" --- Article in the HT of May 2, 2008, by Khushwant SinghIt can be scientifically established that all methods of forecasting future events are false and baseless. Those made by the most eminent of astrologers have proved wrong. It is the same with palmistry: lines on the palms of hands do not reveal either longevity, brains, wealth or the number of children a person will have. In short, they indicate nothing. The same applies to numerology, crystal gazing, tarot cards and readings from ancient manuscripts like Bhrigu Samhitas or Sau Sakhis. They are totally fake. I am compelled to think that people who believe in such things or take columns in papers and magazines based on signs of the Zodiac seriously are mentally retarded except for the fact that so many of them have much higher IQs than mine and have got much further in life than I: for example, Murli Manohar

Joshi, Jayalalithaa and TN Seshan. The most intelligent of Indians, including Marxists, are known to consult soothsayers to find out `auspicious' times before taking important decisions. It would not be wrong to state that over 90 per cent of Indians believe in some form of futurology or the other. That is one reason why I was happy to read that our former president APJ Abdul Kalam refused to indicate an `auspicious' time for taking oath of office. And I was disappointed to hear that our lady rashtrapati was congratulated by an astrological society of Jaipur because she was one of its patrons.I would like to take a bet of any sum of money with believers in astrology: if they can as much as tell me what will happen to them and me the day following our wager and get it right, I will concede defeat and promise to keep my mouth shut ever after. However, if they can't foresee their own tomorrows,

they must concede they cannot forecast what the future holds for others.-Khushwant Singh

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