Astrologers Fail the Test

Almost four months after issue was raised, results have come that astrology has failed to pass the first scientific test in India. In this first statistical test, just 45 percent of the predictions by astrologers proved right. The test has given credence to the theory that astrology can not termed as a science.

In what was touted as the first scientific test of astrology in India, Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Statistics Department of University of Pune and Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANS) joined hands to verify the veracity of astrology. Dr. Naralikar alongwith Dr. Narendra Dabholkar of ANS, Prof. Sudhakar Kunte from University of Pune declared the statistical data related to the test in a press conference yesterday.

The project involved collecting and verifying, analysing of a particular data. In May 08, an appeal was made to the astroloher communities to participate in this event. Dr. Naralikar had appealed to the astrologers to come forward for the experiment. The announcement was received with much debate and controversy. Many astrology organisations condemned the initiative under one or another pretext but astrologers in Marathwada and Vidharbha responded to the project.

Those astrologers who came forward, were provided a set of about 40 horoscopes of student. These students were mentally challenged as well as normal one, but their identity was not revealed to anybody. Astrologers were told to analyse the samples and tell exactly which students are mentally challenged and which are not. An important presumption of the test was that if astrologers manage to differentiate the horoscope with an accuracy of more than 90 percent, astrology was proved to be a science. If they could reach the accuracy of 70 percent, then further tests were to be carried out. About 50 percent accuracy was expected to be achieved on the basis of random sampling.

Prakash Ghatpande, convenor of the test said, "Major astrologers decided to boycott the test objecting to the stands of ANS. Majority of amateur astrologers decided to participate in the experiment and they have relied on the data provided by us. ANS activists collected the horoscopes from all over the state. We gave it to the participants. After their replies were received, the encryption was done and thereafter all the data rested with Prof. Kunte. Nobody else, not even Dr. Naralikar and Dr. Dabholkar were aware of it. We can't declare the exact statistics of the experiment right now."

According to the data provided by organisers, 51 astrologers asked for the set of horoscopes but only 27 of them responded. Those not responding did not furnish any reason either. Among those who participated, 15 were amateurs and 8 were professional ones.

Among the 27 participants, the right guesses range from 8 to 24. On an average, 17.25 out of 40 predictions were accurate. It means generally 45 percent predictions are right.

Meanwhile, astrologer community reacted sharply to the findings of the experiment. Siddheshwar Maratkar, director of Jyotish Vidya Prasaraka Mandal addressed a press conference challenging the results. He said that astrologers had boycotted the test citing the wrong method of conducting the tests. "We had demanded that ANS should not be a part of the experiment, there might be 60% or more accurate results but they will not have any bearing on the scientific basis of astrology and the horoscopes with wrong predictions should be given to us for the verification. Even after agreeing to conditions, the results were declared. This is an attempted attack on the foundation of astrology. So we will not take part in any future tests as well."

Meanwhile, Dr. Dabholkar put forward a proposal for one more test. The test will involve analysing the horoscopes of adults and accurately 'predict' the past incidents or trends of a human being.

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Rains in the city

Due to a cyclonic circulation in Central Maharashtra, city alongwith many parts of the state witnessed rains on Friday. The situation is expected to continue meaning in effect that city is to witness more rains in coming days.

Usually, the monsoon starts withdrawing from 1 September. The month of October is known for summer like heat. The weather in the city looked going on the track till yesterday with maximum temperature touching 33 degree celsius. But on Friday, the weather took another form and there were rains in many parts of the state like Marathwada and Central Maharashtra.

Medha Khole, director, India Meterological Department, Pune said, "The cyclonic circulation over east central Arabian sea off south Gujarat-north Maharashtra lies over Madhya Maharashtra and neighbourhood. Which is the reason for this unseasonal rain." In the last 24 hours, the city witnesse 7.2 mm of rains upto 5:30 PM.

According to Khole, the southwest monsoon withdrawal this year started since 29 September which is almost a month late than normal. The met department expects the rain to continue for three days.

Even though heavy rains are not normal after the withdrawal of monsoon, there have been many instance of rainfall exceeding the normal. Nine years ago, on 14 October 1999, Pune witnessed 200.5 mm rainfall. Last year also the withdrawal of monsoon was started on 30 September and was complete on 15 October. At that time, 3.2 mm rainfall was recorded.
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Wagh Nakh to Return to Land of Shivaji

Maharashtra, land of the Chhatrapati Shivaji, was missing it for the last two centuries. But Wagh Nakh, a famous weapon belonged to Shivaji Maharaj is to come to Maharashtra very soon. Maharashtra government has proposed to Victoria and Albert Museum, London in this regard. The museum has asked security to be provided and once it is cleared, the weapon will come in Mumbai first.

Wagh Nakh or Tiger Claws is one of the irregualr weapons used by Chhatrapati Shivaji. It is famous in the popular folklore of Maharashtra because of its use in killing Afzal Khan by Shivaji himself. After the fall of Maratha Empire, it was taken outside India by British officers and landed in Victoria and Albert Museum.

This weapon is being brought to Maharashtra for an exhibit and government has forwarded the proposal to the museum. Museum also has approved the idea but its decision hinges on the security aspect. Also the file for the security arrangements is doing round in Mantralaya, Mumbai.

Meera Hindocha of Press Office, V&A Museum informed Pune Mirror through a mailed reply, "I can confirm that we have received a loan request for the tiger claw weapon that may have belonged to Chhatrapati Shivaji. However, we have not yet agreed to lend the object and our decision will be dependent upon the confirmation of a suitable venue for the exhibition and the necessary security arrangements being cleared."

Asked about the developments, R. R. Patil, deputy chief minister and Home minister of Maharashtra told Mirror, "Yes, we have given the proposal. But they (the museum)want security to be arranged by us. The file has come to me some days ago and a decision in this regard will be taken soon."

Historians Speak Babasaheb Purandare, who is known for his dedication for history of Maratha Empire could not be contacted as he is is in US now. But he has described the travel of Wagh Nakh to Britain in his previous writings. According to him, Grand Duff, who was political representative of East India Company in the court of Satara might have taken this weapon to Britain. He served in the court from 1818 to 1824. He also wrote the first book on Maratha on history. He befriended the then Maharaja of Satara Chhatrapati Pratapsinh and took the weapon with him while returning. His descendants donated it to the V&A museum.

Ninad Bedekar, another historian of repute from Pune, differed on the authenticity of the weapon. "Shivbhushan, the book in Sanskrit written in the lifetime of Shivaji and by his order, says that Shivaji killed Afzalkhan with sword. This is an authentic reference. As for as the claim that weapon belonged to Shivaji, it is also shrouded in mystery. We do not find any reference suggesting that Shivaji used this weapon."

Asked as to what his reaction would be once the weapon comes here, Bedekar said, "I will still tell the facts as they are."

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Ganeshotsav started here

This wada stands on Kumthekar Road in a dilapidated condition hardly deceiving its historical significance. It was here that the Ganesh Utsav, which has assumed a staus of industry today was started by none other than Lokmanya Tilak, 'the father of Indian unrest'. Even though it has many an ancedotes of importance associated with it, the place is fighting for the survival.

Vinchurkar Wada is about two hundred and fifty years old structure with an area of about 16,000 sq. ft. It was built by Sardar Vinchurkar, who was serving in the Peshwa's court. This structure is among those which came up immediately after the Shaniwar Wada was built. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak started the public Ganesh festival to arise the Indian people against the foreign British rule. First such festivity took place in the year of 1894.

At that time, Tilak lived in Vinchurkar Wada where he lived for 15 years before shifting to Gaikwad Wada which today is known as Kesari Wada. He lived at this place from 1892 to 1905. At the time, Tilak taught to students Law here. Therefore, the Ganesh here was known as Law Class Ganpati. After Tilak shifted to Gaikwad Wada, the Ganesh festival shifted to that place. In 1994, when the centenary of Ganesh Utsav was celebrated, the celebration was revived in Wada also.

Interestingly, this wada is also the place where Lokmanya Tilak and Swami Vivekananda stayed together. Swami Vivekananda had come to Pune with Tilak after a chance meeting in a train from Bombay. Tilak brought him and Swami Vivekananda stayed in the wada for few days discussing many subjects with Tilak and other scholars. Ironically, Tilak learnt after few years that the sanyasi he met was such a great personality. Also, Kesari, the newspaper with which Tilak fought with British Raj

But such a place is standing in a dilapidated state. Except for a room, which is occupied by Khadi and Gramodyog Mandal office, few things are there to point to this rich history. Many dignitaries have promised to revive the building but nothing has helped. Ravindra Pathare, trustee of the Lokmany Tilak Pratham Prashtapit Ganpati Trust, said, "Last year state home minister R. R. Patil came here and promised to give funds for the renovation of the Wada. But nothing has happened in the one year. We hear that the Wada has been sold by the present owner. So we are not sure whether we can have a festival next year."

"Many people and mandals have prospered by Ganeshotsav but the place where it started all has been neglected a lot. Every time we approach a leader, the person shows ignorance about the origin of the festival. The situation is quite difficult and unmanagable now," Pathare said. Deepak Tilak, great grandson of Lokmanya Tilak and chief trustee of Kesari-Maratha Trust, is the chief trustee of this trust also. "Now, we are thinking of approaching central Power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde who is now on the Kesari Maratha Trust Board," said Pathare.

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IT Pros Turn to Music for Charity

They come from various companies and working in a sector which is deemed as highly paid one. Yet, these young lot are not content with the routine job and looking for fulfilling their social responsibility. To fulfil their aim, they have turned to music. Formed as ‘K-SARA...MusicallYours’, the group is holding a musical event to help mentally retarded adults on 30 August.

About ten IT professionals will present a musical show on with the help of some professional artists. This is the first event by the group and has been compiled without any formal participation from their respective employers. In the context of talk regarding stress in the IT sector, the social cause seems the way out for them.

Saurabh Navangul, who is behind the group said, “I was a part of a musical group before called Octave. The group did some programs to help the earthquake victims in Gujrat in 2001. After I joined the IT sector, I felt a need to come forward to help unlucky ones in the society. Fortunately enough, people with similar thinking came along and the group got bigger.”

At present, the group consists of Abhijit Patil, Anjali Navangul, Bharamanna D. Chavan, Abhay Krishan Rastogi, Amruta Chaka, Roopa Iyer, Asmita Patil, Arpita Agarwal, Ramesh Raman, Dipti Dhote, Smita Tikekar, Kuhoo Gupta and Priyanaka Rawal. Their program, to be held at Ramkrishna More Auditorium in Chinchwad will consist of music ranging from classical Indian to Rock spread over three hours.

The proceeds of the event will go to Navkshitij, an organising dedicated to the work for mentally retarded adults. “We have done similar shows for other oganisinations in the past. But as a group this is our first show. As we are doing this on individual level, we like not to show our company’s names in it,” said the members of the group. To spice up the event, help from professional musicians have been sought.

When asked about the recent events indicating stress level in IT companies, the members said, “Stress exists in every field. By doing this work, we have found a way to overcame the stress level. It takes us at least two months to prepare us for the event. Even our weekends are spent in it. When people ask us how you find time to do so, we say time has to be kept aside.”

(K-SARA can be contacted at saurabhnavangul@wipro.com)

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Ganga Flows in Marathi

Ganga-a book written after the twenty years of toil is coming in Marathi now. The authentic work, created after he carried out research for radio documentaries, is translated by senior journalist Prakash Akolkar. The Marathi translation was released on Saturday by Ulhas Latkar of Ameya Prakashan by the hands of union Power minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

Julian Crandall Hollick, the France born radio journalist works with Independent Broadcasting Associates Inc, US. When asked how Ganga came about, he replied through email, “Ganga is the culmination of more than twenty years of living in India. Ganga brings together so many different aspects that go to make up India - her history, mythology, culture, the environment. And it brings them together in an uniquely Indian manner of paradox and contradictions; a goddess both in mythological and liquid form.”

The writer is too excited about the Marathi translation and relived his days in Mumbai and Pune on this occasion. “I'm tickled pink it's appearing in Marathi. I have spent several years in Mumbai and a bit of time in Pune, but I have no real idea about Marathi readers. I will be extremely interested to read and hear their reaction. I lived and worked in Mumbai for several years in the 1990s with pavement dwellers and street kids in Byculla and I want to write a book about them because by chance I happened to stumble on them the week they made their first stab at organising themselves in October 1986. Ever since I've been a sort of unofficial chronicler. And it's a fabulously rich story that few Indians know.” Julian was to Pune several times in the 1980s. He had spent his first Diwali here.

Ganga, the book, was extremely well received in India last year. Julian is more pleased because ‘the critics who reviewed it invariably looked at what it said and not at the nationality of the person who was writing about Ganga.’ He says, “In most cases the greatest surprise for all readers has been the chapter on the extraordinary purifying powers of Ganga - The Mysterious Factor X. A river that purifies not just human souls but its own pollution! Now that really impresses the non-Indian reader. And I thought it was the weakest of all the chapters when I was writing the book. Did I get that one wrong!”

Interestingly, Ganga first appeared in radio documentary. “Someone suggested a book after all the recordings were finished in late 2005. Because all the tapes are transcribed and saved it was relatively easy to make the transition between electronic media and the written word. The printed form allows me to add so many explanations, to expand on what on the radio may be just a few seconds,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Akolkar, deputy editor of Maharashtra Times said, “When I first read Ganga, I realised it is a serious book. It is not a travelogue or a novel. It is an issue and the question is not about Ganga but pollution of each and every river of Ganga. Then I decided to translate it. This was a different book altogether and I had to ask help to many experts for the work. The translation was completed in just eight months.”

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The LinuxChix : Spread the word

They are young, they are learning the tricks of the trade but they certainly have a mission. Charmed by the security and easiness, the girls have joined the open source movement. Pune has just woken up to the feminine branch of the Linux Users Group and as there counterparts all over the world, the girl volunteers here also have come together under the banner of LinuxChix.

Linux enthusiastic all over the world carry out their activities under the banner of Linux Users Group. Here in Pune, the group is called Pune Linux Users Group (PLUG). However to spread the message of Linux movement among women and girl students, the LinuxChix was born. Though it is about two decades old in the rest of the world, the Pune Chapter of the organization came into reality just last December. Since then, the group has conducted some four meetings and has managed to attract at least 30 members.

Still in its infancy, the group has most of the members from Symbiosis Institute of Computer Sciences and Research. Smriti Garg, Rashmi Lakhotia, Shweta Rani and Janki Purohit, four students from second year M. Sc. (CA) are the volunteers for the LinuxChix Pune Chapter. Currently they are working on the Fedora project. Besides having regular meets, of which the next is scheduled on next Sunday, they have also given lectures in other colleges.

Smriti said, “The Linux offers a more secure platform because it is very hard to penetrate. Also, there far too less viruses in the system. Therefore it has became a preferred operating system for the students as well as professionals alike. In fact, many large organizations are going for the Linux. So we also wanted to be a part of the movement.”

Curriculum Vitae

When asked why these girls were attracted to LinuxChix, Rashmi said, “Our institute, SICSR itself encourages the open source movement. We are taught about the subject in line with our regular studies. In fact, it has become a kind of a part of our curriculum.”

According to these volunteers, not many people are aware as how Linux offers more facilities and that it is secure. With most of the users still attracted to an established brand, it is their duty to teach others about the system and their movement. Helping them in their goal is PLUG which also offers technical advice as well as act as a support group.

The volunteers have taken the movement seriously and are working on the Fedora project along with Runa Bhattacharjee, who also volunteers for Fedora-India, KDE-India, Gnome-India, ilug-cal and Ankur Bangla. Fedora is a ?Linux-based operating system that provides users with access to the latest Free and Open Source Softwares (FOSS.)

Reaching to Others

As to the need of forming a separate group of the women, the girls said that it is mainly because Linux has not reached to the majority of girls and women. Citing one of their demonstration experience, they said, “We had a session in Abeda Inamdar College where almost all of the attendees were girls. They will rarely go to any male dominated place for learning about Linux. But when we conducted the session, we got a tremendous response.”

These volunteers are also quick to refuse that they cater only to female audience. “When we conduct meetings or lectures, a part of the audience is men also. In fact, we are witness to some sessions where the male attendees have outnumbered the female audience. Our sessions are open to all and to limit them will defeat our main purpose,” said the volunteers.

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The Chick Organisation

LinuxChix is a community for women who like Linux and for anyone who wants to support women in computing. This is an international group of Free Software users and developers, founded in 1999 by Deb Richardson with the aim of "supporting women in Linux." Richardson described it as an alternative to the "locker room atmosphere" found in some online technical forums and gave LinuxChix two core rules: "be polite" and "be helpful". LinuxChix is now primarily a group for supporting women in computing, specifically in Open Source/Free Software/Software Libre computing.

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