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A date with disaster
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Delhi's very own astrologer Lacchman Das Madan has carved out a career, predicting earthquakes and disasters. He warns of more of the same in his latest book, "Predicting Earthquakes and Calamities". ZIYA US SALAM speaks to the man who believes Indians should take pride in the achievements of their astrologers... .
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Photo: Sandeep Saxena
Lacchman Das Madan...taking pride in his predictions. Photo: Sandeep Saxena
HE LOOKS for calamity at every opportunity. He derides disasters, delights in compiling a list of all the calamities afflicting humankind. He stands on the heap of more than 150 earthquakes he has accurately predicted in the past. He is not through with it though. He predicts another 162 earthquakes across the world over the next decade, and reminds you that Delhi experienced an earthquake just this Sunday. "Peace will be disturbed till May 2005. There are chances of attacks on higher authorities with a strong possibility of an assassination."
He seeks to impart retrospective respectability to the claims he made in the past. "I had predicted in 1969 that Atal Behari Vajpayee would rise to be the Prime Minister," he claims. Scores of earthquakes, attack on the Indian Parliament, many assassinations later, he stands tall, telling us all to "take pride that only an Indian has been able to predict disasters while the West for all its scientific attainment has struggled to tell in advance about any earthquake." Meet Lachhman Das Madan, tall, fair, and as upright as any 80-year-old can be. He also happens to be the author of "Predicting Earthquakes and Calamities", brought out by Bharat Press.
No sorcerer but a doomsayer, many would say, Madan has in the past almost always made news when the tragedy has struck. Not quite fishing in troubled waters, but he has always been there in media reports with "I saw it coming" claims. Only thing is nobody seems to know that Madan had actually made such a prediction. Never mind. It does not bother Madan. "Nobody is ready to reproduce my predictions in the media. I say it all in my magazine Babaji. People take note of it when the event has occurred. I had written in the magazine that before August 27 there is a possibility of an earthquake and it did strike Delhi."
That's not the only thing he claims to have got right well in advance. "I have made more than 40,000 predictions." He is said to have predicted the victory of Tony Blair and his party in advance as also the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, Ziaul Haque's death, Latur earthquake, decline of Communism in Russia and Dabwali fire. He also claims that Capitalism, like Communism, will have to go.
Isn't then the tag of messenger of doom well earned? "No. I have been predicting things since 1951. But I have talked of other things too, not just earthquakes."
Like? "Well, till May 2005, India will achieve notable success in foreign affairs. This will be irrespective of the party in power. Tourism will increase. Several State Governments will change."
Will the BJP enjoy a good run in the four States going to polls this year? "The party will enjoy good times till October 16," is all that the seasoned astrologer, a retired Government servant, offers. Who will form the Government at the Centre? "Nobody can get a majority on his own. The BJP will emerge as the single largest party but who will form the Government is not known. It will have to be a coalition. It will be a hung Parliament."
Internationally? "Americans are creating problems for themselves. Some bold initiatives will prove counterproductive. Scientific programme is likely to fail before December 6. Over next two years, Russia will gain something but power cannot be snatched away from America which is a State of adventure. It is in their DNA."
What about West Asia? "Saddam Hussein is alive. Americans cannot kill the spirit of Iraqis. They will be independent, rejuvenated. Middle-East will fight State terrorism. Before 2007, Middle-East will unite like a rock, faith will become stronger. People from other religions will also take to terrorist measures.
Not bad for someone whose book warns India, Iraq, Australia, Russia, Japan, America, Philippines, Bhutan, Belgium, Bangladesh, Pakistan and China, among others to prepare for earthquakes over the next decade. While in India it is likely to strike "within about 38 days from June 10, 2004", Iraq may have one around September this year itself, just like Philippines and America which too may experience a disaster this year.
Doomsayer, did one say? Finding an opportunity in calamity, did one hear!
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